Sliding hatch for V20 cuddy cabin

[axespino]

I am new to this forum and hope to help out and get plenty of help from my fellow V20'ers. I currenty have two 1973 Wellcraft V20. One which has been in the family for years which was a I/O and now has a 1989 175 evinrude with tow buned up pistons and the other which I recently purchased for $300.00. Both of these boats are missing the sliding hatch cover for the cuddy cabin roof. Does any have one for sale or have an idea on how to fab one. Any information would be helpful. I am from Palacios, Texas. Thanks.

[chumbucket]

axe, welcome to the site. I like your style. Two V20's ;D
I'm not sure how successful you'll be finding the hatch cover. If nobody responds back with one for you, the only other suggestion I can off is to go to the links page here on the site and try Wellcraft themselves or Marine Connection Liquidators in Florida.
Or, maybe one could be fabricated out of Starboard plastic. ??? ???
Good luck in your search.

[franco477]

Can anyone tell me the dimensions of the sliding hatch. I contacted wellcraft but they said that they don't have any specs on a 73 wellcraft V20.

Thanks
Franco47

[chumbucket]

If ya talk dirty to macojoe, he'll probably get the dimensions for you. ;)

[reelapeelin]

These sliding hatches are fairly intricate ordeals...my '74 hatch is as follows:

overall front to back-22 1/4 "
overall width-25 7/8"
width under windshield-26"
back height-2"
front height-1 1/2"
flange under teak-approx 1/2"ea x 18" long
gap sliders ride in-5/8" clear

Now under the windshield it gets complicated:
from front to where windshield seats-19 3/4"
windshield seat-1 1/4"
windshield stop-1 1/4"
on the sides of the hatch; 45* angle starts 18" from front to where slider mates-up to hull in closed position...rise and run of the angle-1 3/4"
after angle, there's a 2 1/2" overhang that includes windshield seat and stop as above...stop is approx 1/4" tall

Franco, if you need more, I'll get it...just let me know...
;)...Oz

[macojoe]

What a nightmare!! I am glad you did all that measuring!!

I don't think Starboard is the right stuff. Unless you buy a real thick piece and try to carve it out of that .
The problem with starboard is there is no real good way to glue pieces toghter, it all needs to be screwed tioghter and over time I don';t think it woud stand up.

But if you knew a plastic welder then it might just be the ticket!!

If it was I and I could not find one, or one to borrow, I think I would try to make one out of 1/4 plywood. Get it so it works and it is real tight!!
Then I would cover with non stick stuff, and cover with fiberglass. When dry peal the ply away from the new fiberglass slider, clean fill gelcoat and there you go.

Not trying to say it would be easy by no means!! But that would be the best bet.

I am in the same boat ;) (V20) for sure) with an 84 missing the first slide (nearest the door) thanks to Hurricane Charley (Posted May 26,05). I contacted Wellcraft with the same results. Is anyone aware of what years will interchange? I am thinking of going the remanufacture route if I can "borrow" one to use for a pattern.

[Franco]

CAN I PUT MY 2 CENTS WORTH IN. YOU NEED TO MAKE A MOLD, THEN MAKE IT OUT OF FIBERGLASS. CAN GET YOU INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU NEED THEM.

Thanks Franco, would appreciate any instuctions on making a mould. That was my thought that I would take an existing cover and make a mould off of it. I have worked a little with fibreglass with my vette and when I shrreded a rear tire on the motorhome at 65mph. I noticed in the other post that your older brother was with Wellcraft. Did he mention if they ever kept any of there old moulds? Sure would make things easier if they would "loan" one out.

[reelapeelin]

I think 1/4" top and 1/2" sides of Starboard would make a GREAT cover!...didn't say would be easy, but can reasonably be done...I've never had a screw back outta Starboard, not even a little... ;) ;D...