UKC

I would like to get some bigger hatches in my sea kayak.
Anyone know of shops that do such upgrades.

It involves cutting a bigger hole, its glasfibre so not that big a problem but i have absolutly no tools for such a job. And instead of buying tools im hoping to find someone who i can pay to do it.

In reply to mik:

wouldn't it be cheaper and better to buy smaller dry bags?
P

In reply to mik: what about just going down to troon harbour, theres normally fibre glass workshops about that will do that sort of work?

In reply to mik: Try ringing UK Canoes in Lancaster, 01534 388850.

In reply to Hotbad Peteel:

that is Plan B. Plan A is to get bigger haches in :0)

and yea i will try call that shop.

Thx guys

In reply to mik:

the problem with bigger hatches is that they reduce the strength of the boat and are less resistant to waves. You can get big dry bags through small hatches if you don't stuff them too full anyway or you pack them whilst there inside the boat. If you boat flexes too much it'll slow down quite a bit in a long swell as the forward energy goes into bending your boat, rather than lifting up (slowing) and then dropping again (speeding up) on waves. I'd stick with what you've got. In my experience the manufacturers of boats wont do any mods to a boat thats not their own as there a bit up their own arses (some exceptions). A normal boat builder probably wont be too good at the ultralight fibreglassing yo uneed for a sea kayak so not too good an option and doing it yourself needs some specialist equipment to finish off the gelcoat and to get the finish right as well as being good with fibreglass.
P

In reply to Hotbad Peteel:

well there isnt any fibreglass work needed realy, since its just cutting some away then glueing in new hatch.

the strenght is a serious issue though and in the end the reason is that im just to lazy with the packing through the small holes :0)
think i will do as u recomend and forget it, and spend the money on some new gear instead which packs easily through the hatches i got.