> Hatches add to the cost and to assembly time. They are really unnecessary > as you can load gear via the cockpit as has been done for over 90 years with > other folding kayaks. If you do decide to get hatches, just get the rear > one not one toward the bow. You can easily load the bow area from the > cockpit and the bow hatch sticks up and gets spray in your face. > > ralph diaz They add no more than 3-4 minutes of very easy procedure even at my slow pace (it seems to be slow so far). This loss is compensated by easier assembling due to better access to frame halves in case if you need to re-align them. It is also more convenient to wip inside with a sponge, when you have hatches. They do add to the cost, however. I didn't notice a spray from the bow hatch, but it is possible. What I did notice was that this bow hatch (located at the side, not at the deck axis) always has its lid in the water when I load the boat (stern ashore). Lid is secured with a short bungy cord, but it is long enough to let it dive. Annoying, but not dangerous. Sometimes I wrap the lid around perimeter line when loading, if I care to keep it dry. I agree that rear hatch is more useful, if I were to install only one of them. Factory doesn't install hatches post-factum, btw (I asked them before buying it with hatches). I don't think it is fair to compare F-crafts with other folding kayaks that can be loaded through the cockpit. Other folding kayaks have way larger cockpit (some also have removable deck). Alex. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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