I sent this email to Pygmy Boat about the hatch hold-down idea I used on my Artic Tern. I can't figure out how to post the photos to this board, but I can send them to anyone interested (or show me how to post them). --Derek

Hello PB,

I spoke to someone there the other day who was interested in seeing the hatch hold-down sysyem I came up with in place of the traditional three straps. The thumbscrews in the photos are stainless steel 1/4". The treaded portion is 1" long. I used a stainless 1/4" washer and a 1/8" ID neoprene washer above the hatch through which the thumbscrew goes. The neoprene washer makes the holes in the hatch water-tight and prevents marring the top of the hatch. Since it is only 1/8" ID, it also keeps the stainless washer in place. To the underside of the hatch lip I bonded a 1/4" stainless washer and nut using some steel impregnated two-part epoxy, into which the thumbscew fastens. This system gives a much cleaner look than straps, and is just as waterproof if not moreso. The thumbscrews have a profile of less than a half inch and have no sharp edges, so wet re-entry shouldn't be any more uncomfortable as a strap system. I had previously considered using a magnet-based system, but decided it may not take a wave without popping off the hatch. I also don't see the hatch dog idea as being very secure, and they don't look as good. The under-the-hatch bungee cord idea I considered, but felt it also could have a security problem if the contents shifted position, and it seemed it may be difficult to fashion the attachment points with this in mind. The only downside I see to the thumbscrews is that it takes a minute to open a hatch. This could be remedied by using aviation-style dzus fasteners, but for a small batch (the minimum I was quoted was 50 pieces) the cost is ~$16.00 each. If you like this hatch idea, I would love to get you interested in ordering a run of several hundred, bringing the cost down to less than $3.00 each. The dzus fasteners are available at www.dfcis.com; the stainless thumbscews (which are hard to find) are from www.microfasteners.com. (they are a special order even from them, so you'll have a minimum of 20 pieces).

Comments & suggestions, welcome, Derek