Valley hatch cover alternatives?

[Duke]

Are there any covers that would fit oval hatches on Valley boats, and would be easier to put on/off? I am sick of breaking my nails trying to take them off. Would appreciate any suggestions.

TIA

[Gcosloy]

I think there are alternatives however by applying 303 liberally to the underside of the Valley hatches you may not need an alternative.

I have Valleys on two boats and don't break any nails.

[Duke]

I think there are alternatives however by applying 303 liberally to the underside of the Valley hatches you may not need an alternative.

I have Valleys on two boats and don't break any nails.

Gene, thank you for your comment. I do use 303 on the underside, still the hatches are very difficult to remove. The boat is glass Avocet.

Cheers,

Mike

[Suz]

Try using one of these. http://www.eggshellskitchencompany.com/nypotsc.html (I used to buy at Bed Bath and Beyond).

They are nylon pot scrapers. It allows you to push the edge of the hatch rim inside the indent to get them properly seated and closed. It also allows you to pry up. Once you have an edge up, just slide the nylon scraper around the edge and it will come up easily.

The very secure Valley hatch covers are difficult to put on and take off but remain on very well and are also not known for leaking.

Once upon a time, I had a Valley boat and kept one of these tethered in my pocket and another tethered behind the seat. Just requires a hole drilled through to allow you to tether.

Suz

[Deb Millar]

Try using one of these. http://www.eggshellskitchencompany.com/nypotsc.html (I used to buy at Bed Bath and Beyond).

They are nylon pot scrapers. It allows you to push the edge of the hatch rim inside the indent to get them properly seated and closed. It also allows you to pry up. Once you have an edge up, just slide the nylon scraper around the edge and it will come up easily.

The very secure Valley hatch covers are difficult to put on and take off but remain on very well and are also not known for leaking.

Once upon a time, I had a Valley boat and kept one of these tethered in my pocket and another tethered behind the seat. Just requires a hole drilled through to allow you to tether.

Suz

We have 4 Valley boats -- 2 Pintails, an AvocetLV and an Avocet -- and have discovered the joys of the VCP hatchcover.

There is hope. I found liberally 303'ng the covers helps (something that we should have been doing at the get-go rather than waiting until the covers have dried out somewhat), but Suz's suggestion is a definite +.

I found nylon scrapers at Bed, Bath and Beyond but they don't appear to be quite as narrow as what Suz linked to. However, they do work, and cost about a buck a piece. Someone also suggested that we file down the edges of these scrapers as they are fairly sharp and could cut the rim of the cover.

As for the alternatives: I've heard pros and cons, the con being that the oval Sea Dog leak. VCP's, pain in the butt that they are, don't. The only thing that leaks when you use VCP covers are the naughty words coming out of your mouth as you try and pry the buggers off.

BTW, the day hatch on NDK boat is a VCP cover. I never had a problem with it nor did it leak. It's the big oval and rounds on Valley boats that seem to be giving people headaches.

Hope this helps.

Deb

[risingsn]

We have 4 Valley boats -- 2 Pintails, an AvocetLV and an Avocet -- and have discovered the joys of the VCP hatchcover.

There is hope. I found liberally 303'ng the covers helps (something that we should have been doing at the get-go rather than waiting until the covers have dried out somewhat), but Suz's suggestion is a definite +.

I found nylon scrapers at Bed, Bath and Beyond but they don't appear to be quite as narrow as what Suz linked to. However, they do work, and cost about a buck a piece. Someone also suggested that we file down the edges of these scrapers as they are fairly sharp and could cut the rim of the cover.

As for the alternatives: I've heard pros and cons, the con being that the oval Sea Dog leak. VCP's, pain in the butt that they are, don't. The only thing that leaks when you use VCP covers are the naughty words coming out of your mouth as you try and pry the buggers off.

BTW, the day hatch on NDK boat is a VCP cover. I never had a problem with it nor did it leak. It's the big oval and rounds on Valley boats that seem to be giving people headaches.

Hope this helps.

Deb

I found the valley ovals relatively easy to get off if you start pulling at the bow or stern end of the hatch, not in the middle. I have a sea dog oval & it doesn't seem to leak.

[Duke]

Try using one of these. http://www.eggshellskitchencompany.com/nypotsc.html (I used to buy at Bed Bath and Beyond).

They are nylon pot scrapers. It allows you to push the edge of the hatch rim inside the indent to get them properly seated and closed. It also allows you to pry up. Once you have an edge up, just slide the nylon scraper around the edge and it will come up easily.

The very secure Valley hatch covers are difficult to put on and take off but remain on very well and are also not known for leaking.

Once upon a time, I had a Valley boat and kept one of these tethered in my pocket and another tethered behind the seat. Just requires a hole drilled through to allow you to tether.

Suz

Suz, thank you! This is a great idea, will try. Once I almost lost my temper and was about to use a flat screwdriver. Those potty scrapers also could come handy after paddling some really rough seas ;-)))))

Cheers,

Mike

[Duke]

We have 4 Valley boats -- 2 Pintails, an AvocetLV and an Avocet -- and have discovered the joys of the VCP hatchcover.

Thank you Deb. I just did some search and found these: http://www.sealectdesigns.com/products/deck_plates_hatches

Called them, they suggested to contact the kind people at Charles River Kayak in Newton (sealdesigns don't take orders form individuals). Ordered one oval hatch cover, should be here within 5-7 days - will test and share my experience .

Best,

Mike

[NateHanson]

BTW, the day hatch on NDK boat is a VCP cover. I never had a problem with it nor did it leak. It's the big oval and rounds on Valley boats that seem to be giving people headaches.

I think it's not the covers and rims that are tough to put on and off, but in particular it's the recessed area around the rim on some of Valley's installations which creates the difficulty. Since NDK doesn't recess their day hatch rims, they're perfectly easy to put on. My Pintail day hatch is the same - it's not recessed and is easier to put on and off. (It's also the only hatch on that boat that occasionally leaks a few Tbl spoons.)

That said, I mind the recessed valley hatch rims and covers. I keep them 303'd (which definitely helps) and by starting at the bow or stern of the ovals, it's easy enough to get them open. After putting the covers on, I can seal it by running a finger around the groove in the cover, to press that bottom lip down into the recess. The day hatch on my aquanaut is recessed, but I don't seem to have any problems getting that one seated by just slapping it back on. (And it's more watertight than the non-recessed Pintail dayhatch).

Considering that the watertight integrity of these compartments is vital to the seaworthiness of our kayaks, I really don't mind taking an extra minute to open and close them. (Or a few extra minutes, when it's cold!)