Piano Hinge

[ALAN GEDDES]

That's all I use. Buy stainless or heavy duty aluminum so you don't end up with rust streaks dripping down your hatch. I then use a strip of inner tube rubber under it to make the gap waterproof and to really make sure caulk the leading and trailing edges. Don't forget to mak it about a quarter inch wider than the body on each side to help deflect water when the hatch is up. It will make it run down the side rather than seep into galley. Check your local boating/fishing shop and buy it by the foot.

[Chuck Craven]

If you are not going to do winter camping use Grant Wipp's hinge.
http://www.teardrops.net/LilBear/parts.html
It's the same type of hinge used on pickup truck topper's back doors.

Chuck

[James (tinbender)]

Do you have a picture of the way you do it with the piano hinge?

[asianflava]

If you are not going to do winter camping use Grant Wipp's hinge.
http://www.teardrops.net/LilBear/parts.html
It's the same type of hinge used on pickup truck topper's back doors.

Chuck

I'm not going to be doing any winter camping but, what happens with these hinges? Do they freeze up?

Man I wish I knew that those galley are truck topper hinges 2 weeks ago. I bought my windows from a place that makes truck toppers. It's kinda far to go back for the hinges.

[Chuck Craven]

Yes if water gets in side they will freeze up and will not open or if a small portion toward the end freezes it may bend at that point. But it is a good hinge, as it is self-sealing keeping the water out of the galley. You don’t have to put rubber under it as long as it extends over the sides. It seals very good open or shut. Just the way it is designed.
Chuck