The Steamboating Forum

Steady progress on the hull re-fit after my last post - thanks for all the advice!

The boat has a weed hatch fitted, however it has clearly never been used as some of the framework of the rear seating prevents the lid from being removed! A few minutes with the multitool (fantatsic bit of kit for boat re-rurb work!) and I could get the lid off. It is placed fairly well - I can actually get my hand / arm down to the prop!

I need to decide if I keep / rework / repair the weed hatch or if I simply cut it out and glass the hole up.....are weed hatches necessary / useful in small launches or are they more trouble than they are worth?

Any thoughts?

Pete

I'd say definately for canal work, and probably for anywhere else. There are miles of lost rope and other stuff to foul props.

Well, it really depends on how much you like to go swimming. I've had to dive in to remove a giant ball of Hydrilla from Otter's prop... but Rainbow's prop sticks out far enough, being a double-ender, that I could reach the crab pot line that wound itself around the prop shaft with a boat hook.

In a word - yes.

- Bart

for canals and rivers in the uk. yes to a weed hatch