building a hatch - Viper Update #6

[harbormaster]

A friend of mine came over who is a great woodworker and we built a engine hatch for the viper.

It is built with 3/4" cabinet grade mahogany plywood.

Now that it is complete, what would you do? Glass it? OR just coat it with multiple coats of WEST Epoxy? Structurally it is strong eough without being glassed. I just do not want it to rot. I will coat it afterwards with a good white marine paint.
It will then be covered with the sun pad and back seat backrest.

[Cuda]

Scot, do you have a picture you can post? I've got to make one for my F20.

[harbormaster]

Here are some pics. I can take a different angle if you need it.
also enclosed are photos of a hatch on another Viper.

[Cuda]

Thanks Scot, that's almost exactly how I was thinking of making mine. Does the hatch close down on the rear seat base?

[Cuda]

When it is closed, will the deck be flush with the gunnels or is it down a bit so the sun pad will be flush?

[harbormaster]

There is a half firewall that the top closes to.

The hatch rests below the gunnels so that the sun pad will be flush.

[gcarter]

I think the big WEST System supporters would suggest some 'glass epoxied onto the ply for abrasion resistance. :idea:

[Cuda]

There is a half firewall that the top closes to.

The hatch rests below the gunnels so that the sun pad will be flush.
Great, thanks for the info!