Is (was) my hardtop hatch installed backwards?

[ASH]

We lost the Taylor Made hatch on the hardtop to the wind on Saturday. It opens to the front now, I wonder about changing when the new arrives so it operates like a sunroof in a car.

I think it was my fault for not having it latched, I have to climb up there often to set my anchor light over. I most likely forgot to secure it.

The winds in Missouri were fairly strong and I was pushing directly into it when it let go!!!!!

Which way does the hatch open on your boat?

 

[sbw1]

The hatches on my Tiara open in opposite directions. The helm hatch opens as a scoop to bring fresh air into the helm. The companion seat hatch opens to the aft. Both serve a useful purpose. We never run with the helm hatch open because it could flip up and run into the radar while it is running. In port we keep both open unless the A/C is on.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I can't say for sure on your boat, but on all of the Taylor hatches I've seen, there is a secondary channel about 1 inch higher than the spot where you would lock it down. This enables you to still get air coming in, but you don't have to rely on friction to secure the hatch from the wind. Although, I must say, I've run many, many times with it (this is on my forward deck) opened further and only rely on the knobs. In the case of a lockable area below (cabin, for example), this secondary channel still allows you to leave the boat, yet also get some air in and still have the hatch 'locked' but not fully closed.

 

[HUMPH]

They normally open just like yours, to the front. Running with it open puts a bit of force on it but I have never had an issue.

 

[ASH]

It must have been my lucky day….I was not running the radar so at least that did not get damaged….I was running the cockpit heater and had cracked the vent fwd because we were hot…It may have built just enough pressure in the cockpit area to push it up enough for the wind to grab it…I have never noticed a secondary latch, I will look again. The fact that I have to stick my body through there to lay the light over the second latch would have not been attached either….

 

[Lazy Daze]

You still use the same two latching arms/levers. But if you look closely you'll see another groove that they can latch into. Again, though, I'm just assuming based on the hatches that I've seen.

 

[ASH]

It is a deep frame, I am sure it is as you describe…..I am 6 hours away from my boat, I will look next time Im at lake.