One of my (few) frustrations with the 27 has been the awkwardness of reaching/climbing down into the deep aft bilge area (engine compartment) to fish out dock lines when approaching a marina. Especially when the dock is rapidly approaching, spectators are watching, and I'm encumbered with PFD, sunglasses, etc. The problem has gotten worse since I installed new cockpit cushions. It's possible I'm not as young and flexible as I once was! I needed a solution to keep dock lines and other lines more easily at hand without cluttering up the cockpit.
So I've modified the bottom of the lazarette hatches to provide hanging storage.
I cut a piece of marine grade plywood, round over the edges with a router, then coated it front and back with epoxy resin to make it waterproof. Because the bottom of my hatches had been painted with a 2-part polyurethane, I scuffed them up with 80 grit sandpaper and used 3M 5200 Fast Cure to glue the plywood to the hatch.
Note: if the hatch had been in original factory condition with the stock gray paint I would have wiped off the paint with acetone, sanded the bare fiberglass with 80 grit, and used thickened epoxy to attach the plywood rather than 5200.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4857/45749273085_2913eb44d4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cGGZ1r)
After allowing 24 hours for curing, I mounted six swiveling hooks fashioned from Seadog reefing hooks (Defender 612167) and Ronstan eye straps (Defender 615141).
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4890/46611752222_599fd643e9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2e1Vq1o)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7926/46611752722_7824b74179_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2e1Vqa1)
Here's the final product in use. The eye straps allow the hooks to rotate under gravity and remain vertical regardless of whether the hatch is open or closed.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4881/46611752392_6b005e93e1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2e1Vq4j)
Bonus feature: this has significantly stiffened up the rigidity of the hatch. It no longer flexes when I step onto the boat.
Live & Learn Department: I used 3/4" plywood, and it added a LOT of weight to the hatch. Wouldn't want it to accidentally fall on my fingers. If I were doing this again, I'd use 1/2" ply. It would be plenty strong and would weigh 33% less.
Wes
Nice job! They look great and very helpful!
Dale
That's a great idea. I'm always digging through PFD's and other stuff to get to my fenders. Hooking the line to the hatch door, I could just grab and yank.
Wes- That's a great idea! Looks nice too. You have just unknowingly added a project to my to-do list. Even though these boats have an abundance of storage, it is not all easy to get to quickly. Nice solution!