Re: [Paddlewise] Kahuna hatches and the last most difficult and crucial question

> I'm going with the balance of recommendation to not bother with hatches,
> which was also my preference because of the cleaner lines of the unhatched
> boat, slightly faster assembly speed and less risk of leakage. Leakage
> correlates with drying time for me so thats a major consideration.

You'll do fine without hatches when loading - though loading may take longer
time and more
yoga-like positions, and you'll also
have to
grow your fingers longer to grab bags tips when unloading (or tie up some
ropes to pull bags out).  When I put sail mast through the rear hatch, I
can't
load or unload anything through it, so cargo goes through the cockpit
anyway. Still I can put my hand through this hatch and re-arrange the cargo
or  grab those bags in the stern end. Bow hatch is small and I can only
put hand through to re-arrange the cargo better or to pull it towards the
cockpit.  Convenience with hatches is susbtantial, and decrease in
seaworthiness/performance is much less, if any.

They don't leak, though my waters are less windy than Australia shoreline.
You
may find diagrams of hatches in Assembling Manual at F-craft website.  It
has 2 barriers of protection - lid and rolled-up closure like those in
drybags, so it's pretty much watertight. Once I had my bow hatch lid ripped
of by the waves (was not lost, hanging on its cord), but due to roll-up
closure it didn't leak.

> I learn't today that there is an organisation, which for a small price
will
> plant the exact number of trees to compensate for the CO2 from my car, it
is
> infinitely cheaper than the Kahuna and public transport but I've grown to
> really enjoy public transport:~).

I love public transport, especially flights heading south from were I
live.  Taxi and bus drivers also enjoy Kahuna more than heavier and bulkier
boats.

Alex.

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