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Do-it-yourself kayak hatch

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Lacking the stretching power of the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards, we needed an access hatch to through-bolt a stern light on the back deck of our Old Town Predator PDL. The hatch will also facilitate wiring the light to our main battery with a switch (a future DIY). You might want a hatch with a waterproof bag to stow a wallet or phone. Installation is the same.  <p> <em>Captions: Dave Mull</em>
Lacking the stretching power of the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards, we needed an access hatch to through-bolt a stern light on the back deck of our Old Town Predator PDL. The hatch will also facilitate wiring the light to our main battery with a switch (a future DIY). You might want a hatch with a waterproof bag to stow a wallet or phone. Installation is the same. 

Captions: Dave Mull

Mark the hole using the hatch lid.
Mark the hole using the hatch lid.
Drill a hole to insert the saw blade and cut with a jigsaw or reciprocating saw. A Dremel tool finished the job for us.
Drill a hole to insert the saw blade and cut with a jigsaw or reciprocating saw. A Dremel tool finished the job for us.
Apply silicone liberally around the rim, and place the hatch lid in the hole.
Apply silicone liberally around the rim, and place the hatch lid in the hole.
Drill holes in the lid with a bit smaller than 1/2-inch self-drilling screws. Drill one hole and install the first screw to keep the rim from shifting.
Drill holes in the lid with a bit smaller than 1/2-inch self-drilling screws. Drill one hole and install the first screw to keep the rim from shifting.
Carefully snug down screws by hand to avoid stripping the holes in the plastic. Tighten in a star pattern as you would snug lugs on a wheel when changing a tire to tighten evenly. Keep your excess plastic pieces for repairing your yak if you damage the hull or deck.
Carefully snug down screws by hand to avoid stripping the holes in the plastic. Tighten in a star pattern as you would snug lugs on a wheel when changing a tire to tighten evenly. Keep your excess plastic pieces for repairing your yak if you damage the hull or deck.

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