Leaving front hatch open under sail

[Dan B]

I would sure like to be able to leave the front hatch open under sail. I have 2 Hella fans and a solar powered vent running but they don't move enough air to combat the humidity. Seems like leaving the front hatch open is the only hope of driving a lot of air.

However, leaving the hatch open without some solution doesn't seem to be an option. I am concerned about the genoa sheets getting caught under the hatch or on the hold-down screws and ripping the hatch off during a tack?

Any ideas?

[Timm Miller]

Never has happend to me in the 4 years I've owned the boat....of course, mine lays all the way back........not proped up.

[baldbaby2000]

I prop mine up with one of those spring type props. I've never had the sheets catch either with my jib or genoa. They are too far back for the most part and the sail itself just slides across. I suppose if you let everything go and they were flapping around they might get hung up. I have an M; I'm not sure if an X would be different.

BB

[James V]

It is a little safer to have the front hatch open when motoring. If the fumes of the motor does come into the cabin, they get blown out.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

...I thought the open front hatch was specifically designed for grand kids to poke their heads out for howdys and grins to passing boat crews and other kids....

[KayakDan]

Unless it's really calm,I lock down the front hatch. We took one over the bow in rough water in Buzzards Bay a few weeks ago. The hatch was open slightly-and we sleep in the v-berth. It wasn't good!