Cutting a Hole in the Cockpit Floor

[Hilde's log]

 

I have to admit, cutting a hole in the cockpit makes me really nervous. But if you must, this is what David did:

First, he measured it with painter's tape, which is not horribly sticky on the back and easily removed. Then he made sure (yet again) that he wasn't going to cut through things like bits of engine, electrical wires, etc. He used a heavy-duty jigsaw with a diamond-edged blade and cut all around the tape. Of course he was being good and wearing goggles and a filter mask.

Next, he eased out the cut, about 1" thick, fiberglass and composite, and gazed down into a big, black hole. Then he vacuumed like crazy to get up the dust and particles.

Finally, he plopped the hatch into the hole. The frame still needs to be bedded, but that shouldn't be too difficult. David told me the hatch would be flush, but it's got a bit of a rounded top. The handle does not stick up. When he wants to get in, he raises and turns the handle and that releases the dogs holding it down from below. 

David says the boat hull slopes quite a bit, so it will still be tricky to work on the engine. At least he will be able to see what he is doing. This hatch has been on his bucket list forever. Not so much mine. But then, I don't work on the engine!

The rest of the week is vanity work - teak. That's more and more a morning exericise as summer has arrived and below decks without A/C in 100 degrees is no fun. We don't run the A/C around the wet varnish because of the fluff and dust that tends to fly around when it's on. So it's sand in the evenings and varnish on weekend mornings.