Hi Joe,

Thank you for the pictures.. Nice simple, easy to use system. And I like you can remove on deck or below, still attached an close by..

I will post my setup an other work on the boat as winter progresses. Most of my work will be in March/April.

Glad to see we have the same eye strap an location for the harness. Jack lines are another area I did a lot of experimenting this past season. Will post those ideas also.

Happy New Year to all

:: Hi Paul,
::
:: Check the "Photos" section. I uploaded 3 images that
:: will give you some ideas. I've asked TAZ, another SHTP
:: veteran to post his method also.
::
:: What I liked about the low stretch poly shock cord is
:: that while still secured, you can manually grab and pull
:: the hatch board up, place it in the cockpit or inside of
:: the boat on the hull floor/bunk.
::
:: It's never unclasped, so won't wash overboard or get
:: lost amongst all your gear in the dark.
::
:: Makes some improvements or show us your method too
:: please. BTW, the shiny shock cord I got at Svens in
:: Alameda, but it's standard stuff I've seen at West
:: Marine. Comes in red, yellow and black, too I think.
:: Great UV and chafe resistance.
::
:: Joe B. Archimedes
::
:: :: Thank you Joe that is very helpful information. Any
:: :: pictures you have time to post will be greatly
:: :: appreciated.
::
:: :: You can also email me at [email protected] if
:: :: that is easier.
:: ::
:: :: :: For the coastal waters, I can imagine some scenarios
:: :: :: where water would intrude into the main companionway in
:: :: :: a capsize, wave breaking over the transom, or even
:: :: :: complete rollover. Thus, the requirements for a secured
:: :: :: hatch. I am also reminded, that a secured hatch keeps
:: :: :: things from leaving the cabin.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: For the SF bay, I can imagine a boat on its ear, chute
:: :: :: in the water near a rounding, someone hits you and spins
:: :: :: the cockpit into the chop or the collision helps roll
:: :: :: the vessel past 90 degrees.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: For SHTP, I also used a rubber/poly shock cord that
:: :: :: allowed me to keep the hatch tensioned down while
:: :: :: secured to the sliding hatch.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: I prefer thick polycarbonate so I can also see what's
:: :: :: going on while I am downstairs. For the ocean, I also
:: :: :: take a second wooden hatch with me that doubles as a
:: :: :: portable nav/chart table.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Some like a 2 piece hatch that comes up to the height of
:: :: :: the seats. If you take a breaking wave on the transom,
:: :: :: this will help reduce the amount water that gets flushed
:: :: :: in the cabin. I will take some pics and post.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: It was before my time, but I heard the Racoon Straights
:: :: :: :: sinking was due to water going in the open front
:: :: :: :: hatch...
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Maybe someone is knows for sure can chime in...