Brian Nystrom Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Linda, Michael and I need to replace a bunch of dead Valley hatch covers (at least 12) and we've decided to go with Sea-lect covers instead. Since there are a lot of people in the club with boats with Valley hatches, I was wondering if anyone has thought of doing a group buy so we can get them at a discount? I may be opening a can of worms here, but I thought I'd at least mention the idea. I'm looking into bulk pricing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Brian:Have you considered the new KS hatch covers for Valley rims? Just another option. FWIW, there is a kayak parts shop in Ossipee, NH (seriously) which stocks the Sealect covers and can order the KS ones. Nice people.Ed Lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Brian:Have you considered the new KS hatch covers for Valley rims? Just another option. FWIW, there is a kayak parts shop in Ossipee, NH (seriously) which stocks the Sealect covers and can order the KS ones. Nice people.Ed LawsonI hadn't seen the Kajak Sport covers for Valley rims before and checked them out on their site. They look nice, but I haven't found anyone online who's actually selling them, so pricing is somewhat of a mystery.I've contacted Sea-Lect and they offer a club purchase program, so if there is interest, the club can join that. I'm also looking at purchasing from them through my business, if the club isn't interested in affiliating with them. Barring either of those two choices, Duckworks has the best prices, but Topkayaker has the ovals on sale for a similar price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pintail Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) I have already bought two Sealect covers from very nice people in Michigan, called Riverside Kayaks -- found them per eBay. Very good sellers: I wonder whether they would be interested?I have not used these Sealect hatch covers <yet>; but anything will be better than the life-expectancy of the original Valleys...I have to buy new ones every two-three years, I would say, whilst the Kayaksport ones on the little, black rolling boat have been in place for -- perhaps five years -- perhaps more? Everyone knows I always use plenty of "303", so it isn't for lack of <that>!Therefore -- I am thoroughly interested in any group buy.Ossipee? Now that could be worthwhile, couldn't it? Little transportation to take into account, perhaps...? Edited July 7, 2015 by Pintail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyork Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 .... but anything will be better than the life-expectancy of the original Valleys...I have to buy new ones every two-three years, I would say, .....Have had my original covers since 2003, and are holding up qute nicely, though stored in garage most of the time , or outside on rack in summer, atilt such that covers are aimed downward. I suppose that might make a big difference re: UV exposure. 303 is applied X3 during summer months. Anyone else with a "success" story?gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 It seems that older covers were more durable and I recall reading something about VCP switching to a lower VOC manufacturing process a few years back. That apparently affect durability adversely and there have been a lot of reports of molding defects, too. Between Linda, Michael and me, we currently have six boats with VCP hatch covers, all of which are stored either indoors (5) or under cover outdoors (1). When I checked them all this past weekend (some hadn't been used in a while), of the 17 Valley hatch covers (I have one Sea-lect cover on one boat), there was exactly one that didn't show any cracking. That was an oval cover that I replaced a couple of years ago. Most of the round covers had fallen apart (the centers fell out and into the boats) and the ovals were badly cracked.There is simply no way that I'm going to pay for more of this junk, especially considering that Valley covers are more expensive than Sea-Lect. I'm currently exploring multiple sources for Sea-Lect covers and will report back once I have more information. Who in the club would be in charge of deciding if NSPN wants to work directly with Sea-Lect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pintail Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) Gary, you only apply 303 <three times>, during the summer? Good heavens, man: I use the stuff almost every time I paddle! Truly. ;^) And if <that> doesn't much help my (hatch cover) life expectancy, then I'm in total agreement with the wise BN. I experience exactly the same symptoms: cracking and a falling out of the centre of the cover -- and yes, they are expensive. (Gary: this is why I carry my boats upside-down)Is anyone else interested in this topic of conversation and desirous of joining in? If you have Valley hatch covers, you <will> need replacements -- sooner or later... Edited July 8, 2015 by Pintail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katherine Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I don't have a problem with my hatches, I apply 303 more than Garry less than Sir Christopher. Perhaps I need to keep a boat longer than 3 seasons... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pintail Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Katherine: you will...you will... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share Posted July 10, 2015 Christopher, give me a shout offline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I love my KS hatch coverts. If I had valey ones I would have to join the group buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pintail Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 Nystrom: godfrey dot Christopher gmail -- impossible "private message" you as a guest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NPearson Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Hi, please include me if you do go for a group-buy - I need a cover for a day hatch (round) on an AvocetThanksNick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambor Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I would be in for a group buy too. 2 large, one day hatch, or perhaps double that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 Since there doesn't seem to be any interest in the club partnering with Sea-Lect, I'm pursuing this on my own. I'll report back with pricing information as soon as I find the best deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbeale Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Hi Brian,Thanks for 'sessing this out -- need 3 round hatch covers for my NDK Pilgrim so interested in group buy --I remember that I ordered hatch covers for my Impex Force 3 from a supplier in NH -- dog something was the name of the company -- good deal and the hatch covers float --lasted a long time --PS - Say "hi" to Linda for me --miss seeing her on the water --Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyork Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 If not too late for "group" purchase, please include 2 ovals and one round (day) hatch for the School Bus (Valley Argonaut). Thanks for your efforts Brian.gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyork Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Admittedly, I have had some deteriation of my hatch covers over the last decsde. As a preventative measure (perhaps), I recently applied a trail of aquaseal to the deep cracks/crevices on my rear oval (inside and out) and day (outside only) hatches. These cracks follow a pattern of parallelling the periphery, approximately 1 inch in. Despite operating in the same conditions, the front oval is in much better shape. I think I will hold off on the group buy now (said the optimist). I'll try to remember to post follow-up here.gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtyang04 Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Does anybody know Wilderness Systems 8 in. Round Hatch Cover fit Valley kayaks? it is much cheaper. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NPearson Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Forgive my ignorance - which 303 product should I use? There appear to be severalThanksNick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glad Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Hi Brian - after a few decades of traveling with my hatch covers on the hatches, I decided after some advice to stow them tethered in the hatch itself because it was safer. Third time out, I lost my new day hatch cover to my NDK pilgrim. I'm using an old Valley cover from a poor Force 3 which met an ugly demise and it's sure to wear out soon. Please let me know what you find out about pricing.Thanks,Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Frigon Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Brian...I just found this post like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow! I have to replace hatch covers (a metric F-ton) on 4 boats. is this buy happening?Cheers,Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pintail Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 (edited) <...which 303 product should I use? There appear to be several>What you need is 30350 Aerospace Protectorant, dark(-ish) blue label. Most boating shops stock it. Edited September 9, 2015 by Pintail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NPearson Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Thanks - 30350 it is. Coming from the UK, I've never had to worry about UV protection before... As for the hatch covers - I've always used Valley hatch covers on Valley boats - I take it the Sea lect and KS covers fit the hatches on Valley's glass boats, but is the same true of their RM kayaks? (I have one of each)thanksNick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted September 10, 2015 Author Share Posted September 10, 2015 I've been on vacation for the past two weeks, but I'm still working on pricing. There's one more source that I need to check with on volume discounts, then I'll report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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