Building a Redfish King
Hatch rims glued in. I used Vaclav Stejskal's
(One Ocean Kayak) method of hatch rim
contruction. The rim is contructed of 6-8
layers of fiberglass. I sacrificial piece of 3/8" X
3/16" thick closed cell foam is used to create
a channel and is replaced once the rim is
complete with varnish.
The rim channel accepts a 5/16" thick X 3/8"
wide closed cell foam. I made and glued into
the hull shock cord keepers and laced a 1/4"
shock cord through each side.
On the hatch bottom, I made supports so that
the 1/4" shock cord could easily fit and hold
the hatch snug against the foam lined rim.
The orange 1/8" cord is tied to hatch and hull.
Once in place, the shock cord pulls the hatch
down tightly and gives a good seal. The
black nylon is to open the hatch - Joe
Greelnye soft pad eye design.