I really like to see your tutorials, I do a lot of work with them, but I would like to ask you, regarding in this video shows a square hacht, however how would you calculate the diagonal distance to give it the curve in the corners if this hacht were rectangular. I see that in the comments many agree with this question, we would greatly appreciate your help with this dilemma. Thank you ❤.
I have just completed making my first ever hatch cover using this method and very pleased with it and myself! My measurements worked out (mine wasn't square) following your instructions. The only thing I have done differently is I have bound the ends of the elastic so I can't take it under the hatch to prevent leaching of rain but, instead, have added velcro on the under side which I can take under the hatch itself. I stitched each end of the individual strips of velcro, not on edge of material but in from the edge so that it is under the cover so should not leach water even though under and inside hatch.
I was making covers for a lewmar low profile number 30 hatch which is rectangular. Even with adding the 1 1/2" addition for the hem, my first one came out to small by about 1/2" all around. I increased the dimension in both directions by 1" which seemed better. It holds very well, but is hard to get the long sides to tuck down because there is very little space between the deck and the hatch. Thanks for the video is was a great help.
completed my first hatch covers. Questions and comments. 1) It is harder than you think to not sew the leechline. 😵💫 2) Suggestions would be appreciated to measure diagonal on a rectangle hatch. 3) I think I will not remove extra material at corners until I have actually fitted it for rectangular hatches. 4) Do you suspect hatches will leak if the leechline goes into the hatch seal area (gasket) as when you pull from interior?
It is possible that the leechline may cause leaking when placed under the gasket. Some are using YKK Snads instead of leechline to secure hatch covers for that fact alone.
Question, are the 5” in the corners based on these specific measurements or is that a good roundabout number that would roughly work for most hatches roughly
My exact question. I assume that figure is based on where the edge meets the curve and how many inches is required to hold it in place around those corners. Would be nice to see how it was measured on the video. Sailrite: do you have an answer to the original question?
Has anyone tried using a light weight bungee instead of the leech line cord and also has anyone experienced their hatches leaking with the cording caught in the gasket? Just curious as I am building these for a client. Thanks!
My exact concern. If you put that leech line over the gasket, that gasket will never be water tight again. I like the design if you keep the leech line outside the inner rim of the hatch. Maybe even better with a bungee leech line, but not over the hatch gasket.
Going over the gasket with a cord is a huge mistake. I’ve used bungee in the edge and it greatly complicates things. For it to be tight enough to hold on in a strong wind, the ruffles along the edge are quite large. 64” around the hatch, started with a 55” bungee cord (1/8” diameter) and ended up having to shorten it by 22” just to get it to be snug.
The hatch has a big rounding radius on each corner and is way easier to estimate with this trick, when you make the fold on the corner that you don't have spare cloth hanging. If the corner is chamfered, with this you sew the edge and the shape follows the contours of the hatch. Hope it helps!
I really like to see your tutorials, I do a lot of work with them, but I would like to ask you, regarding in this video shows a square hacht, however how would you calculate the diagonal distance to give it the curve in the corners if this hacht were rectangular. I see that in the comments many agree with this question, we would greatly appreciate your help with this dilemma.
Thank you ❤.
I have just completed making my first ever hatch cover using this method and very pleased with it and myself! My measurements worked out (mine wasn't square) following your instructions. The only thing I have done differently is I have bound the ends of the elastic so I can't take it under the hatch to prevent leaching of rain but, instead, have added velcro on the under side which I can take under the hatch itself. I stitched each end of the individual strips of velcro, not on edge of material but in from the edge so that it is under the cover so should not leach water even though under and inside hatch.
Glad it worked out great!
I was making covers for a lewmar low profile number 30 hatch which is rectangular. Even with adding the 1 1/2" addition for the hem, my first one came out to small by about 1/2" all around. I increased the dimension in both directions by 1" which seemed better. It holds very well, but is hard to get the long sides to tuck down because there is very little space between the deck and the hatch.
Thanks for the video is was a great help.
completed my first hatch covers. Questions and comments.
1) It is harder than you think to not sew the leechline. 😵💫
2) Suggestions would be appreciated to measure diagonal on a rectangle hatch.
3) I think I will not remove extra material at corners until I have actually fitted it for rectangular hatches.
4) Do you suspect hatches will leak if the leechline goes into the hatch seal area (gasket) as when you pull from interior?
It is possible that the leechline may cause leaking when placed under the gasket. Some are using YKK Snads instead of leechline to secure hatch covers for that fact alone.
thank you for such clear step-by-step directions. will let you know how mine turn out!
Question, are the 5” in the corners based on these specific measurements or is that a good roundabout number that would roughly work for most hatches roughly
5 inches did not work for my Lewmar covers.
My exact question. I assume that figure is based on where the edge meets the curve and how many inches is required to hold it in place around those corners. Would be nice to see how it was measured on the video. Sailrite: do you have an answer to the original question?
Has anyone tried using a light weight bungee instead of the leech line cord and also has anyone experienced their hatches leaking with the cording caught in the gasket? Just curious as I am building these for a client. Thanks!
My exact concern. If you put that leech line over the gasket, that gasket will never be water tight again. I like the design if you keep the leech line outside the inner rim of the hatch. Maybe even better with a bungee leech line, but not over the hatch gasket.
Going over the gasket with a cord is a huge mistake. I’ve used bungee in the edge and it greatly complicates things. For it to be tight enough to hold on in a strong wind, the ruffles along the edge are quite large. 64” around the hatch, started with a 55” bungee cord (1/8” diameter) and ended up having to shorten it by 22” just to get it to be snug.
I made these and the water plus humidity drips down on the cords. Can’t have a line in between 🤨
Great! Let me know if you have questions.
Sailrite how big a piece of glass should i get if i anticipate making a few sailrite items?
How do you make the hatch cover's with two snap at the corners that do the pivoting? I need to make three of them.
bigblockcutlass123 Sounds like something that should go on our future projects list. I have not done that yet.
Why not just pattern it with canvex, using a florist's stapler to add darts, then adding 1.5" for shock cord pocket and hemmed edge?
Yes, that could also be done.
I am not following why your diagonal measurement is off. It's the Pythagorian Theorem (a2+b2=c2).
The hatch has a big rounding radius on each corner and is way easier to estimate with this trick, when you make the fold on the corner that you don't have spare cloth hanging. If the corner is chamfered, with this you sew the edge and the shape follows the contours of the hatch. Hope it helps!
Too bad your hatch was square. Curving the corner is a bit trickier when the hatch is rectangular instead of square.
I am sure we will do another video someday showing another way to cover a hatch.