Replaced hatch covers with Starboard - lessons learned

[cudabird]

I figured I'd share this with everyone since this appears to be a common problem on older GWs. I bought a used, 2000 Fisherman 222 last Fall. I really love the boat. However, the two rear hatch covers were cracked. I did some research and found a company called www.boatoutfitters.com. (I have no affiliation with them.) I attached a picture of one of the old hatches. I worked with them and did a lot measuring and we came up with a design to recreate them using 1" King Starboard. My original plan was to buy the Starboard and shape it myself but I noticed they do custom CNC designs for a nominal fee. A CNC machine would do heck of better job than I could with my router. The hatch covers close down over a removable box with a lip so some intricate routing would be involved on the underside. The corners and top edges needed to be radiused as well. I chose Seafoam as the color - in hindsight I'd been better off with white but I'll live with it. Anyway, I got them and installed them and I'm pleased with the fit. If I did it again, I might make them 1/32 to 1/16" smaller in case the Starboard expands in the heat but I think I'll be ok. It was ~$350 for both.

 

[mjm1957]

Very nice. Looks like it could have come that way from Grady.

 

[Fishtales]

X2 the two tiered cover adds strength and functionality.

 

[Sdfish]

Looks Great!

 

[Diad]

very nice!

 

[BarryF]

I have the same boat and the same issue with the hatch covers. Would you mind sharing the contact info of the person you worked with at Boat Outfitters? Thanks!

 

[Hookup1]

GW hatches are junk. I think they use sand from the parking lot mixed with resin as a filler. It's hard and brittle. I made molds for my anchor locker and aft storage box and build new hatches with Coosa board. The aft storage box is topped with Starboard cutting board.