Butterfly Hatxh

We are looking for pictures and designs of butterfly hatches for our sailboat. We would prefer a design that will not leak. Can you help?

 

Yes,

What is your budget?

 

What's a butterfly hatch??

 

This is the style of hatch that hinges down the centerline of the deck opening, providing "wings" to each side when in use. They often times also can open like a conventional hatch, with the "wings" dogged down.

Typically, hatch design is application specific, being that it's design is part of the detailing of plans set for a yacht. Each designer and each hatch is different, as are the techniques used in design and construction for a hatch. Most design firm's just spec out a commercially available hatch or a custom build from one of the manufactures. Sometimes style, era, period or whim requirements warrant a special application which should be done by a designer. Making this style of hatch water tight as requested will depend on the owner's desires, budget and designer's skills and successes.

 

Thanks PAR!

 

There is no hatch I know of that won't leak,especially a butterfly.Even submarine hatches leak under the right conditions.Ultraviolet rays play havoc with seals made from the most high-tech polymers,coupled with the profound daily usage that leads to looseness and mis-alignment.A waterproof hatch is akin to a waterproof watch,they both fail at the most inoportune times,with drastic results.The inherent weakness with butterfly hatch designs is the central critical sealing point between two hinged units,coupled with the mass of suface contact areas as opposed to more simpler designs.They are beautiful,and complicated.

"It sounds just like them" Ringo Starr

 

Some hatch designs are better then others, but hatches, by there nature are a difficult set of issues to bridge with reasonable success. I've seen some wonderful ideas over the years and beautiful hatch details.

The butterfly hatch is known to have more then the usual amount of difficulties surrounding getting a good seal. LFH drew some great hatches, many old custom designs have interesting hatch concepts. Concordia yawls have a reasonable one. Life aboard is strewn with the joys of a sweet breeze rolling through an open butterfly (Sweetie, did you put the bug net in that hatch . . .)

I've found the best working butterfly designs are the simplest of them. Traditional clamps and a simple, well designed hatch can dog down well enough. If you need more, the storm shutters should be on and all else stowed and/or dogged down.

 

There is a good article from Good Old Boats:
http://www.boatus.com/goodoldboat/classichatch.htm