1976 SPORT 15 Bow Hatch - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  1976 SPORT 15 Bow Hatch

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   1976 SPORT 15 Bow Hatch

markho posted 04-03-2007 12:29 PM ET (US)
I just [bought] my first Boston Whaler SPORT 15. It did not come with a front bow hatch. No problem, I'm good with wood :). but I'm not sure what hinges to use that will properly fit. Thanks for the help in advance!
markho posted 04-03-2007 06:57 PM ET (US)
bump
[Here the author appended a meaningless article intended to force his original article to the top of the article listing which is sorted on most-recently-posted. This was done after only six hours. This is a sign of severe impatience. It does not bode well for an owner of a classic Boston Whaler boat. Good things take time to happen, and six hours is not very much time to wait for a reply. In the future please to not use this silly technique to jump your article to the top of the list.--jimh]
HAPPYJIM posted 04-03-2007 09:59 PM ET (US)
I don't think it had hinges. It is just a plank of wood that sits in the well. You can install it with hinges but then you won't be able to remove it without a screwdriver. If you do want the hinges, mount them towards the front so that the hatch folds forward, away from you. Use stainless hinges about 2 inches long and that should do it.
JBCornwell posted 04-03-2007 10:47 PM ET (US)
There were hinges, Markho. I'll get you a picture of the hinges on RED SKY.
The hatch cover for the 15' was the same dimensions as the solid teak cover on the 17', but it was 3/4" Mahogany plywood.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
markho posted 04-04-2007 08:54 AM ET (US)
JB!! Thanks for coming around to help!! I appreciate any info you can throw at me. Much appreciated. I get the boat this week, i got butterflies!!!
jimh posted 04-04-2007 09:18 AM ET (US)
The 1976 SPORT 15 bow locker cover was not secured with hinges. That is probably the reason that the original cover was lost. I used to own a 1976 SPORT 15, and when I bought it the original bow hatch cover was missing, too.
Because there were no hinges on the original boat, there may not be suitable reinforcement embedded into the hull to which you can fasten the hinges. Check the location of any embedded wood reinforcement in that area. Without some backing material to hold the fasteners, you may not get enough purchase from your screws to retain the hinge in the hull's deck.
Tom W Clark posted 04-04-2007 09:32 AM ET (US)
I have seen a few Whalers in my time, 15 footers among them. I even owned one for a while. I have never seen a 15 foot Whaler that did not have hinges on the bow locker cover.
Perhaps during the first year or two of the Sport 15's production Whaler received too many complaints of flying bow locker covers and decided they should use hinges to help secure it.
The hinges used were what are called "strap hinges" and use four screws total, two on each leaf. I recommend solid stainless steel strap hinges with a total length of about 4 inches.
markho posted 04-04-2007 09:46 AM ET (US)
thanks for the input! I think that we have to come to a conclusion! One side says there was no hinges, others say there were! This could turn into an interesting thread!
JBCornwell posted 04-04-2007 10:43 AM ET (US)
Like Tom I don't think I ever saw a 15 that didn't have hinges on the bow locker cover. On RED SKY (1986 Striper 15)they are the same hinge used on the 17s.

It is possible that some years were made without hinges and it is possible that many boats had hinges added by owners, but:
I bought a used mahogany cover to replace the CDX cover that was on RED SKY when I bought her. The screw holes that were in the new cover exactly matched the hinges that she already had. Not likely to be coincidence.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
markho posted 04-04-2007 11:13 AM ET (US)
Okay, well no hinges would make it easier, but what about it sliding off the compartment? will it?? i have seen bungee tie downs, but I need some pics to understand exactly how BW intended the function of the bow hatch.
Tom W Clark posted 04-04-2007 11:34 AM ET (US)
markho,
What is the confusion? Put a pair of hinges along the front edge of the locker cover and then when you lift up the rear edge, it tilts forward.
grogden posted 04-04-2007 11:40 AM ET (US)
re bow hatch, I bought one from a site recommended by this forum for about $50 unfinished but sanded,put 4 0r 5 coats sparvarnish and it looks great and fits right. they intended the function of a bow hatch to stow items in the anchor well and give you a place to sit(dont recall the website for the hatches, but I think its on EBAY)dont forget your plugs when you launch unless you want the function to be a live well
markho posted 04-04-2007 12:04 PM ET (US)
Sorry, the confusion is to be hinged or not to be hinged is the question. I just looked at the wood diagrams and there is plywood placed underneath the glass to permit hinges. I guess some models used it and others didnt? Hey i didn't know it could be used as a live well. Thats true? Serioulsy, I am a total newbie, so i appreciate all the simple answers to my stupid questions!! Please forgive me!
grogden posted 04-04-2007 04:43 PM ET (US)
I was kidding,sorry Im a smartass.PUT on HINGES if you would like your hatch to stay in one spot, someone can sit on it then and not fall on their face
markho posted 04-04-2007 07:16 PM ET (US)
I looked at the wood diagrams for the 15. Am I correct to say that there are wood reinforcement below the glass?
JBCornwell posted 04-04-2007 10:38 PM ET (US)
If JimH is correct (Silly thought. Of course he is correct) and the '76 15' did not have hinges there probably wasn't wood to anchor screws then either. The wood locating diagram may have been modified at a date after your boat was made.
If your for'd deck does not have screw holes you may need to devise a method of anchoring screws for the hatch.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
inlandwhaler posted 04-04-2007 11:21 PM ET (US)
I have an '87 Super Sport Limited and it does not have hinges on the bow hatch. Mine is held in place with a short bungee cord. The bungee cord on mine is a bit worn, but looks to be original. I haven't owned the boat very long, but so far no problem keeping the hatch in place.
TampaTom posted 04-04-2007 11:33 PM ET (US)
Our 1976 15' Sport has hinges. And if it didn't, I wouldn't hesitate to put them on.
nevada posted 04-05-2007 12:35 AM ET (US)
Mark,

It is obvoius to me that if there are no exsting screw holes to mount hinges, than the boat did not come with with hinges. If you are a purest collector of classic whalers, and do not mind chasing the cover around the deck in serious chop than leave it be. If you would like more functionality, and are unsure of a secure wood anchor for the above mentioned hinges then check this out:
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011243.html
Joe
markho posted 04-05-2007 08:50 AM ET (US)
thans for the input. I don't have the boat in my possesion yet, so i am not sure if there are existing holes or not. I will put down hinges becuase it seems like it could be a possible hazard if someone is tempted to stand on it or if it flies off and hits me in the head when the vessel is underway. I will call BW and see what they tell me, and take it from there.
Tom W Clark posted 04-05-2007 10:23 AM ET (US)
Yes, there is 1/2" wood backing in the hull in the area of the hinges. You can see it here in the wood locating diagram of the 15 footer:
http://continuouswave.com/maintenance-logs/bimini/graphics/ woodLocateDiagram15Whaler.jpeg
Note this drawing is from 1975, the beginning of the 15 footer's production. While it is possible some early 15 footers may not have been equipped with the hinges, it is obvious the boat was designed from the very beginnning with them in mind.
alfa posted 04-05-2007 11:28 AM ET (US)
My 15' (1977) has hinges on bow locker.
Tom is right
Alain
markho posted 04-05-2007 11:58 AM ET (US)
tom, thanks for the input. i have discovered your whaler site. i like it :) I posted the same discussion over there but i think i have come to a conclusion. i appreciate all the info i recieved over here thanks people!

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: 1976 SPORT 15 Bow Hatch
markho	posted 04-03-2007 12:29 PM ET (US) I just [bought] my first Boston Whaler SPORT 15. It did not come with a front bow hatch. No problem, I'm good with wood :). but I'm not sure what hinges to use that will properly fit. Thanks for the help in advance!
markho	posted 04-03-2007 06:57 PM ET (US) bump [Here the author appended a meaningless article intended to force his original article to the top of the article listing which is sorted on most-recently-posted. This was done after only six hours. This is a sign of severe impatience. It does not bode well for an owner of a classic Boston Whaler boat. Good things take time to happen, and six hours is not very much time to wait for a reply. In the future please to not use this silly technique to jump your article to the top of the list.--jimh]
HAPPYJIM	posted 04-03-2007 09:59 PM ET (US) I don't think it had hinges. It is just a plank of wood that sits in the well. You can install it with hinges but then you won't be able to remove it without a screwdriver. If you do want the hinges, mount them towards the front so that the hatch folds forward, away from you. Use stainless hinges about 2 inches long and that should do it.
JBCornwell	posted 04-03-2007 10:47 PM ET (US) There were hinges, Markho. I'll get you a picture of the hinges on RED SKY. The hatch cover for the 15' was the same dimensions as the solid teak cover on the 17', but it was 3/4" Mahogany plywood. Red sky at night. . . JB
markho	posted 04-04-2007 08:54 AM ET (US) JB!! Thanks for coming around to help!! I appreciate any info you can throw at me. Much appreciated. I get the boat this week, i got butterflies!!!
jimh	posted 04-04-2007 09:18 AM ET (US) The 1976 SPORT 15 bow locker cover was not secured with hinges. That is probably the reason that the original cover was lost. I used to own a 1976 SPORT 15, and when I bought it the original bow hatch cover was missing, too. Because there were no hinges on the original boat, there may not be suitable reinforcement embedded into the hull to which you can fasten the hinges. Check the location of any embedded wood reinforcement in that area. Without some backing material to hold the fasteners, you may not get enough purchase from your screws to retain the hinge in the hull's deck.
Tom W Clark	posted 04-04-2007 09:32 AM ET (US) I have seen a few Whalers in my time, 15 footers among them. I even owned one for a while. I have never seen a 15 foot Whaler that did not have hinges on the bow locker cover. Perhaps during the first year or two of the Sport 15's production Whaler received too many complaints of flying bow locker covers and decided they should use hinges to help secure it. The hinges used were what are called "strap hinges" and use four screws total, two on each leaf. I recommend solid stainless steel strap hinges with a total length of about 4 inches.
markho	posted 04-04-2007 09:46 AM ET (US) thanks for the input! I think that we have to come to a conclusion! One side says there was no hinges, others say there were! This could turn into an interesting thread!
JBCornwell	posted 04-04-2007 10:43 AM ET (US) Like Tom I don't think I ever saw a 15 that didn't have hinges on the bow locker cover. On RED SKY (1986 Striper 15)they are the same hinge used on the 17s. It is possible that some years were made without hinges and it is possible that many boats had hinges added by owners, but: I bought a used mahogany cover to replace the CDX cover that was on RED SKY when I bought her. The screw holes that were in the new cover exactly matched the hinges that she already had. Not likely to be coincidence. Red sky at night. . . JB
markho	posted 04-04-2007 11:13 AM ET (US) Okay, well no hinges would make it easier, but what about it sliding off the compartment? will it?? i have seen bungee tie downs, but I need some pics to understand exactly how BW intended the function of the bow hatch.
Tom W Clark	posted 04-04-2007 11:34 AM ET (US) markho, What is the confusion? Put a pair of hinges along the front edge of the locker cover and then when you lift up the rear edge, it tilts forward.
grogden	posted 04-04-2007 11:40 AM ET (US) re bow hatch, I bought one from a site recommended by this forum for about $50 unfinished but sanded,put 4 0r 5 coats sparvarnish and it looks great and fits right. they intended the function of a bow hatch to stow items in the anchor well and give you a place to sit(dont recall the website for the hatches, but I think its on EBAY)dont forget your plugs when you launch unless you want the function to be a live well
markho	posted 04-04-2007 12:04 PM ET (US) Sorry, the confusion is to be hinged or not to be hinged is the question. I just looked at the wood diagrams and there is plywood placed underneath the glass to permit hinges. I guess some models used it and others didnt? Hey i didn't know it could be used as a live well. Thats true? Serioulsy, I am a total newbie, so i appreciate all the simple answers to my stupid questions!! Please forgive me!
grogden	posted 04-04-2007 04:43 PM ET (US) I was kidding,sorry Im a smartass.PUT on HINGES if you would like your hatch to stay in one spot, someone can sit on it then and not fall on their face
markho	posted 04-04-2007 07:16 PM ET (US) I looked at the wood diagrams for the 15. Am I correct to say that there are wood reinforcement below the glass?
JBCornwell	posted 04-04-2007 10:38 PM ET (US) If JimH is correct (Silly thought. Of course he is correct) and the '76 15' did not have hinges there probably wasn't wood to anchor screws then either. The wood locating diagram may have been modified at a date after your boat was made. If your for'd deck does not have screw holes you may need to devise a method of anchoring screws for the hatch. Red sky at night. . . JB
inlandwhaler	posted 04-04-2007 11:21 PM ET (US) I have an '87 Super Sport Limited and it does not have hinges on the bow hatch. Mine is held in place with a short bungee cord. The bungee cord on mine is a bit worn, but looks to be original. I haven't owned the boat very long, but so far no problem keeping the hatch in place.
TampaTom	posted 04-04-2007 11:33 PM ET (US) Our 1976 15' Sport has hinges. And if it didn't, I wouldn't hesitate to put them on.
nevada	posted 04-05-2007 12:35 AM ET (US) Mark, It is obvoius to me that if there are no exsting screw holes to mount hinges, than the boat did not come with with hinges. If you are a purest collector of classic whalers, and do not mind chasing the cover around the deck in serious chop than leave it be. If you would like more functionality, and are unsure of a secure wood anchor for the above mentioned hinges then check this out: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011243.html Joe
markho	posted 04-05-2007 08:50 AM ET (US) thans for the input. I don't have the boat in my possesion yet, so i am not sure if there are existing holes or not. I will put down hinges becuase it seems like it could be a possible hazard if someone is tempted to stand on it or if it flies off and hits me in the head when the vessel is underway. I will call BW and see what they tell me, and take it from there.
Tom W Clark	posted 04-05-2007 10:23 AM ET (US) Yes, there is 1/2" wood backing in the hull in the area of the hinges. You can see it here in the wood locating diagram of the 15 footer: http://continuouswave.com/maintenance-logs/bimini/graphics/ woodLocateDiagram15Whaler.jpeg Note this drawing is from 1975, the beginning of the 15 footer's production. While it is possible some early 15 footers may not have been equipped with the hinges, it is obvious the boat was designed from the very beginnning with them in mind.
alfa	posted 04-05-2007 11:28 AM ET (US) My 15' (1977) has hinges on bow locker. Tom is right Alain
markho	posted 04-05-2007 11:58 AM ET (US) tom, thanks for the input. i have discovered your whaler site. i like it :) I posted the same discussion over there but i think i have come to a conclusion. i appreciate all the info i recieved over here thanks people!