access hatches in cockpit are they original

[Robert Lemasters]

I think that you are right about stern weight and design, I'll put the water tank and marine batteries forward. Sometimes I do take on water through the outboard motor well when motoring, not allways though or when under sail. Wasn't there some sort of plug that came with outboard motor Commanders and Ariels? I belive that my "outboard motor" Commander was designed to be motored out then sailed with the motor up and the plug in the well. The outboard motor well has two bolts with wing nuts for the plug . Do these plugs still exist and anyone have a motor well plug that a mold could be made from? I would like to have one for my Commander for sailing and to keep water out when docked.

[Bill]

Do these plugs still exist and anyone have a motor well plug that a mold could be made from? I would like to have one for my Commander for sailing and to keep water out when docked.

There is a thread on the plug . . .

http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussi...=outboard+plug

Maybe you can reignite some interest in producing some plugs. Post your question in that thread . . .

(Note to all viewers: using the above URL you will find all words "outboard" and "plug" appearing in red. That is because they were the search terms used to find the thread. You too can find stuff this way . . . To see the posts without the red highligts, go to the thread directly -- a new post has brought it to the top of the tech forum.

[Sprite]

There are pictures in the gallery.


John

[ebb]

Someone with just a bit of experience with polyester or epoxy would find making a plug for the well an easy project. The boat would probably have to be out of the water to tape the bottom closed to get the shape. There are probably 10 different ways to do it.

[Sprite]

I would thought you could cut a piece of foam with an exacto knife to get the shape and work it from there.

John

[mbd]

Looks like I'm going to be installing an access hatch sooner rather than later. I've got a leaking stern tube and can't get at it.

Does anyone happen to have the dimensions of the cockpit floor so I can size a hatch? Also, any recommendations on brands?

[Sprite]

You probably need a long and narrow one and you have to watch out for
the support frame. I wanted to change my piece of junk for a Bomar
or something and found that I have to replace the frame holding the cockpit deck.

John