HATCH LOCKS FOR TD.

[Kody]

My design drawings are now well under way for my TD and I am ready to buy the steel and weld the frame. One of the problems I found when drawing, was locking the hatch down when traveling and locking it for security. The only device I have found so far is a Hasp and Staple and also an over center cam lock (one on each side) that didn't look at all pleasing. What do you guys use to keep the hatch closed and also how do you keep the water/rain from entering inside the galley?

Kody

[Shadow Catcher]

I used a pair of Perko latchs http://www.perko.com/catalog/category/l ... d_latches/

[nevadatear]

draw type latches from Grant Whipp. They are adjustable, secure with a padlock on each side. We have been very happy with them.

[Nobody]

When I first built my TD 6yrs ago, I used the 'T' handle/locking rod latch system. I fabricated it so I had to push down on the hatch in order to lock/latch the thing & once the rods were in place in the receptacles (1" penetration) I had no worries that it would open, short of a calamitous event of some sort. In the years since I've found that either the wood has dried/shrunk somewhat, or the weather stripping has compacted to the point I wasn't comfortable that the hatch was totally waterproof under all circumstances so I decided to add 'toggle' type latches to draw the hatch down to a point with which I was comfortable. I've also replaced the weather stripping since the TD was rear ended Labor Day weekend 2010, so now I hafta again push down on the hatch in order to latch the t-bars. I guess the 'toggles' are a redundancy but they're there now & I ain't takin' 'em off...

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Not the greatest pic, but apparently its the only one I have of my latches. They are Soutco V7 over-center latches.

[aggie79]

I used rubber draw latches. I purchased a hasp to use to lock the hatch but have never installed it.