Classic Kayak Hatch Covers
by Tom Holtey (copyright TopKayaker GeoOdyssey 2019)
The topic of this post is Discontinued Hatch Covers, the type that are made of hard plastic or fiberglass and seal with a gasket or a neoprene inner cover. I will not cover all hatch covers ever made, but will address what we have on file and I will add more as more information becomes available. There are multiple links below. Use them for photos and additional information.
Start with the info links below:
Double Hatch Cover System: Neoprene Inner Covers and Outer Hard Covers.
Strap Over Hatch Cover System: Maintenance and Replacement of Gaskets and Straps.
Use this link to Available Replacement Strap Over and Latch Hatches.
There will be links to other types of hatch covers, kits and parts at the very bottom of this post.
Protect your hatch covers from loss and damage! Make sure that your hatch cover is carefully secured before car topping or paddling in rough waters. Inspect the Hatch Straps and replace if any signs of failure or age. Some hatch covers will be secured with ropes. It is simple to replace the ropes with straps if you feel so inclined. Some hatch covers might be secured with latches that are often found as part of fabric boat covers and awnings. Contact Us for more info as needed.
Store your kayak in a manner that protects against the damaging rays of the sun as well as other hazards, such as damage from yard tools, falling debris and people wanting to step on the kayak.
If your hatch cover is damaged, cracked or chipped, it is best to repair it. Use G/flexby West Systems and as needed Contact West Systems for advice.
If necessary hard outer hatch covers can be fabricated using fiberglass resin and cloth. The article link below will shed some light on the matter.
Making a Fiberglass Hatch Mold.
If you do not have a hatch cover to copy, you might consider building a "Form" rather than a mold. Contact Us for more info as needed.
The information below is for Reference Only. The Hard Outer Cover Hatch Products described below are typically no longer available commercially. However replacement gaskets and neoprene inner covers are available. Use the links below to see the hatch parts.
Use this link for the Ocean Kayak brand Scupper Pro Hatch.
Old Town Loon 138 Hatch Cover and Kit:
The discontinued Old Town Loon 138 Hatch Cover Kit contained; a polyethylene hatch cover, straps to hold the cover in place, and instructions for installation. It was used as a replacement hatch or a kit for new install. Many Old Town Loon kayak were NOT outfitted with the hatch option. This hatch did not seal completely dry. The related article above (Maintenance Of Large Cargo Hatches) will address this issue. A Safe and Watertight Seal is solely up to you to implement using your own approach. If you have a Loon that never had the hatch installed, my advice is not to try to install one unless you have the original part, or a very good copy of it. If you have lost a hatch cover for a Loon kayak you might seek to make a copy (See the Making a Fiberglass Hatch Mold link above.)
Wilderness Systems Plastic Hull Cape Horn Sea Kayak series, circa 1999 to 2006:
These hard plastic outer hatch covers listed below are not watertight alone and must be used with Wilderness Systems Neoprene Fabric Inner Hatch Covers. These covers are secured by Hatch Straps.
Bow hatch cover for the Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 140 (14 ft. 6 in.) plastic kayak. Made of black plastic, 14.5 x 11.5 inches. The WS No. 2 Neoprene Hatch Cover is the inner bow cover for the Cape Horn 140. Part Number: 7305-3600
Stern hatch cover for the Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 140 (14 ft 6 in). Made of black plastic, 18.75 x 13.5 inches. The WS No. 1 Neoprene Hatch Cover is the inner cover for the stern of the Cape Horn 140. Part Number: 7305-3601
Bow hatch cover for the Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 150 (15.5 feet) plastic kayak. Made of black plastic, 16 x 14.5 inches. The WS No. 5 Neoprene Hatch Cover is the inner cover for the bow of the Cape Horn 150. Part Number: 7305-2800
Stern hatch cover for the Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 150 (15.5 feet) plastic kayak. Made of black plastic, 20.25 x 15.5 inches. The WS No. 10 Neoprene Hatch Cover is the inner cover for the stern of the Cape Horn 15. Part Number: 7305-2801
Bow hatch cover for the Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 170 (17 ft. 2 in.) plastic kayak. Made of black plastic, 17 x 13.25 inches. The WS No. 5 Neoprene Hatch Cover is the inner cover for the bow of the Cape Horn 170. Part Number: 7305-3800
Stern hatch cover for the Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 170, plastic kayak (17 ft 2 in). Made of black plastic, 21 x 15.25 inches. The WS No. 10 Neoprene Hatch Cover is the inner cover for the stern of the Cape Horn 170 (17 ft. 2 in.). Part Number: 7305-3801
It is assumed that the Composite Hull Cape Horn sea kayak series have very similar composite covers, but are not exactly the same, nor are they documented here. It is also assumed that they use the same inner neoprene covers, but that information is not confirmed at this time. Wilderness Systems also produced a kayak called the Shearwater for EMS that is essentially a Cape Horn and we can assume the info above applies to this just as well.
There are two other common types of hatch covers. Use the links below to learn about them:
Rubber Hatch Cover Information and Available Replacement Rubber Hatch Covers
Deck Plate Hatch Cover Information and Available Replacement Deck Plate Hatch Covers
TopKayaker also stocks assorted Hatch Kits and Replacement Hatch Parts.
Contact Us for more Hatch Cover Info by year, make and model of kayak.
Copyright TopKayaker GeoOdyssey 2019
