15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
drewread
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:11 pm

15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby drewread » Tue Aug 15, 2017 8:20 pm

When I purchased my used 1989 15 Super Sport Limited it had nothing securing the hatch for the bow anchor locker. The only indication that there ever was any sort of attachment for [the bow anchor locker hatch] is the standard U-clips that generally have a bungee cord through them. I installed a nice, tight bungee cord, but the hatch still slides back and forth.

What needs to be done to properly secure the anchor locker hatch?

Thank you--Drewread

Whal
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 7:11 am

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby Whal » Wed Aug 16, 2017 7:08 am

Just get some self adhesive stick on Velcro 4 inch by 2 inch strips at your local Wal Mart for a couple of bucks for a packet of 3 sets. Work great and no drilling.

Whal
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 7:11 am

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby Whal » Wed Aug 16, 2017 7:13 am

Just another little tip, I also use these on the bottom of my cooler to keep it from sliding around and again no holes need to be drilled. 1 strip in each corner keeps my cooler full of walleye and ice secure.

Joe 15 SS LTD
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:53 pm
Location: Seffner FL

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby Joe 15 SS LTD » Wed Aug 16, 2017 7:18 am

Is the locker hinged in the front? Not sure what you mean sliding around. I have a 15' Super Sport Limited 1990 model and it hinges in the front, never had a problem with it moving around.

drewread
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:11 pm

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby drewread » Wed Aug 16, 2017 9:18 am

No hinges, no unfilled holes.. Hence my confusion as to the attachment method. :)

Anyone have a photo of the hinge location? Is that the factory location?

Jefecinco
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:35 pm
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby Jefecinco » Wed Aug 16, 2017 5:46 pm

Tie a knot or two in the bungee cord to shorten it and thus provide more tension/holding power.
Butch

drewread
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:11 pm

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby drewread » Wed Aug 16, 2017 6:24 pm

It doesn't pop up, the new bungee is as tight as I could tie it.

The hatch slides astern, there is nothing to stop it from doing so except the angled underside of the hatch. I will post a photo this weekend..

Oldslowandugly
Posts: 718
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:19 pm
Location: Queens NY

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby Oldslowandugly » Wed Aug 16, 2017 8:59 pm

I would make a stop out of Mahogany or whatever the hatch is made of. It would only need to be an inch square and several inches long. Then screw it on to the underside of the hatch. Position it so it nudges the rear bulkhead. That should keep the hatch in place unless you hit a big wake or something. You could also use a stainless steel or aluminum angle bracket but wood is softer on the gelcoat.

drewread
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:11 pm

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby drewread » Wed Aug 16, 2017 9:24 pm

This is a Super Sport Limited.. There is no wood. The lid is fiberglass.

Oldslowandugly
Posts: 718
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:19 pm
Location: Queens NY

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby Oldslowandugly » Wed Aug 16, 2017 9:51 pm

It will still work. Do you know if the fiberglass is solid plastic- or wood covered in plastic? You can use wood and "glue" it to the fiberglass with some resin. Scuff the attachment point so it will have some "tooth". Or you can screw it on. Or use a stainless angle bracket and screw into the hatch. Just be patient and drill into the fiberglass carefully. You want to make the pilot holes big enough so the screws don't crack the plastic. You could even make some sort of stop by screwing a stainless plate to the rear bulkhead surface that stuck up even with the hatch. But that may become a trip hazard so I'm suggesting staying on the inside surface of the hatch area for safety and esthetic reasons.

Oldslowandugly
Posts: 718
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:19 pm
Location: Queens NY

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby Oldslowandugly » Wed Aug 16, 2017 10:01 pm

Or how about this: Drill a couple of holes right though the hatch just at the inside face of the bulkhead with about a foot between them. Get a couple of stainless steel pins with pan heads that are as long as the hatch is thick plus an inch. Glass the pins solidly into the hatch. Position them so they just contact the bulkhead and hold the hatch in place- problem solved.

drewread
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:11 pm

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby drewread » Wed Aug 16, 2017 10:25 pm

Yes, there are a million ways to make this work. I'm wondering how it was supposed to work originally ;)

Thanks for the suggestions though.

macfam
Posts: 180
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:24 pm

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby macfam » Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:54 am

As Whal has already suggested, self adhesive Velcro strips, 4" long, has worked for me for many years.

Jefecinco
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:35 pm
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby Jefecinco » Thu Aug 17, 2017 9:36 am

Add a small piece of wood to the underside to prevent it sliding aft. Velcro is a useful stop gap solution but will not last as long as a piece of wood. When it start to peel, and it will, it can be messy.
Butch

Joe 15 SS LTD
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:53 pm
Location: Seffner FL

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby Joe 15 SS LTD » Sun Jul 15, 2018 12:35 pm

Drewread
Did you ever come up with a solution
Would be happy to send you a picture of my 15' SS LTD

JOE

drewread
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:11 pm

Re: 15 Super Sport Limited Securing Bow Hatch

Postby drewread » Sun Jul 15, 2018 12:40 pm

Yes, a pair of hinges has made this substantially safer to walk on.