> Does anyone know if VCP or any other firm is producing a superior > product - one that doesn't have to be replaced every year or so? Joe > S I know your problem and I got the solution, or a maybe-solution. VCP hatches had been for quite a long time the first choice. Functional and waterproof enough. I was told they got 80 per cent of the world market, but Valley rest on their success and a few years ago (6 or 7, ??) Kayaksport OY from Finland and Lettmann from germany work together and build a new cover, which is replacing now VCP hatches worldwide. VCP hatches are made from PU or something else (polyurethane) and this material suffers from UV-radiation and ozone. KS-OY hatches are made from rubber. You have the choise between round hatches of 10, 20, 24 cm (2,54 cm = 1 inch) and the oval 42x30 cm one. (all inner diametres) Their edges fit better than the VCP egdes to the hatch-frame. The rubber is more watertight and flexible, even under cold conditions. Each hatch got to "nipples" (inside and outside) with a hole, so you can knot a rope to it. The outer "nipple" makes it easier to open the hatch, and the inner one is ideal to fix the hatch to the boat, so you canīt loose the hatch by mistake! But the best is the price and the dimensions. The VCP round hatch got an inner diametre from 19cm and outer is exactly the same like the 20cm hatch-frame from KS-OY. o can change them. The price of hatch + frame is much lower then the single VCP hatch (Without frame) !!! I think thatīs the reason why most producers chnage their forms. My Sirius still got the VCP hatches, because I havnīt had the choice several years ago, but my Artisan and Spitzbergen got the KS-OY hatches and I love them. I even got the small 10cm hatch, it is ideal for the very end of a long boat, so you can get out and in small things and place them more exactly in the boat. 2 Problems they still got. First is when they are nex, then it is hard work to open them. Then you use some vaseline or silicon spray. 2nd is, you could make more personal mistakes. One time I close the round hatch and the little rope comes under the hatch. Afterwards I wonder where the few water had come in. So you have to pay more attention on this system, but thats nothing, compared with the good aspects. Hope this might be a help for you. bye Jochen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Mar 29 2001 - 23:07:00 PST
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