Front Hatch

[Binea]

Has anyone ever replaced the from hatch on a 1986 C 34 with Bomar or something similar...I don't really like how dark the V Berth is...

Richard

[Stu Jackson]

Richard

Before you do that you may want to consider the tradeoffs.  In an earlier post about front hatch replacements, Ron Hill wrote:  Now that I've answered you question, let me give you another idea. Before you do any of this, why not do what I did. Mine's a 1988 and has a crazed len. I don't really care as I got tired of being "Moon Burnt". I made a sunrella bonnet that I put over that hatch cover to keep it out of the hot sun and make it darker at night. You'll need to find a thinner UV resistant material for the edging that the thin shock cord runs thru; or the shockcord won't hold it on. That bonnet also keeps the sun out during the day to keep it cooler and cut down the fading of any bedding."

Keeping the old hatch also lets you sleep later.  :)

If you look through Mainsheet magazine, you'll find that there is a company that makes repalcement hatches, at least for the C30s.  I don't know if they do for the C34s, but you could call them.

Stu

[Binea]

great idea....many thanks

Rich

[Andrew Harvey]

Richard, I replaced mine with hatch from Cruising concepts. Perfect fit and changed the boat entirely. Lots of light in the V berth and looks really good from the outside. It is a very dark tint to maintain privacy.
Andrew

[Richard Bain]

Great!!
Thanks...Do you have a city or contact for cruising concepts??

Many thanks..
ps...is the deck stepped mast a problem??
I am about to buy a 1986...

[Andrew Harvey]

Richie, They advertise in mainsheet. Try cruisingconcepts.com. Phone # is 800 899 3996
Deck stepped masts are not a problem. It is a subjective issue, even Catalina switched back and forth through production years.
Andrew

[binea]

Thanks alot Andrew..
So...the differences between a 1986 and 1989 are not worth alot of extra money? I see a 1986 on the used site here...in Georgian Bay...It is a fresh water boat and near my home port! I am going to call him..,
Where do you sail out of?
Thanks again

richard

[Binea]

Thanks Ron...
I will call you tomorrow...was very busy today..I'm a commercial photographer and had several shoots...
have a look at my website..see if you can find Capt. Von Trapp!
www.richardbain.com
Thanks for your ongoing help...
Richard