How To Install A Hatch On Your Kayak!

[@albertsjoberg1200]

Great Video. Just one note. If you drill the initial hole closer to your cut line you need to cut less and save a larger off-cut for use later.

[@jivekiwi]

Good point Albert. I'll keep that in mind when installing mine. Cheers.

[@KayakDIY]

IMPORTANT TIP: Keep your scrap cutouts from the hatch install. These can be useful in patching your kayak because they are an exact material match. I had a leak in my keel once from dragging a kayak repeatedly on the beach...luckily I kept plastic from a hatch install and had plenty of material to patch it with!

[@popaki9484]

When you ordered the hatch was it advertised for an 8" or 6.5" hatch?

[@THEFALCON58]

Use the cut out for repairs

[@KayakDIY]

Yes 👍

[@juanr7229]

im always looking forward to new videos..this is my first 5 months owning a kayak so this videos are exiting for me ..thank you very much

[@KayakDIY]

No...Thank you...your excitement fuels us to do what we do. I was able to move to Florida and pursue my dreams in the kayaking and fishing industry because of people like you supporting me. The least i can do is hopefully repay you and many others with videos they want and are interested in.

[@420fmlbro91]

It’s no coincidence that the lid is the same size as the hole it threads in to- if it was bigger or smaller it wouldn’t fit! :) Great video nonetheless, I’ll be doing this this weekend. Thank you!

[@west_nebraska_dude4527]

Great Video … Could you tell us what blade your using on your jigsaw? I see it's a Bosch but can you give us more detail (like item # or TPI)? Thanks so much!

[@KayakDIY]

They actually make 6TPI blades for this material (linked below). I however believe I was using the T118a which is a fine tooth high TPI metal rated jigsaw blade. I just found that the finetooth blades work for me. I like to run slow with the jig saw and fine tooth blades do better at slow speeds because they don’t catch. www.amazon.com/dp/B00EMEYJ66/?tag=a41a9-20

[@west_nebraska_dude4527]

Thank you so much for your unbelievably fast reply, and especially for the info. Unbelievably, the local Menard's has it in stock so I'll be picking them up tomorrow. Your tutorials are a lifesaver for a newbie like me … outfitting my first couple of kayaks right now. Thanks again!!

[@nc1nj2]

I was going to ask the same question to find out what blade. Looking through the comments to see if someone else asked and it was answered. Esp since this was posted 3 yr ago. Thanks for this information. The others question I had - what did you use to seal it? I already have clear silicone for outdoor windows and doors. I will probably use that since I have it. Should work fine.

[@jdo1014]

As always, if in doubt, cut the recess fractionally smaller than you need.

[@TONYCOSSEMANS]

Great video, I just got my first kayak Pelican 100K and I am installing this. the storage it comes with is not waterproof. Should I apply sealer to all the screws that came in the in the Kayak? Again, Thank You.

[@stevequigley1053]

Good video. A thought, if you had drilled the pilot hole for the jigsaw closer to the outer circumference of the hole then you could possibly use the blank and repair the hole by plastic welding if you chickened out. Right now you would have to also repair the slot that you used when you started

[@KayakDIY]

Haha...I don't chicken out....but I get what you are saying. I more keep the disc scraps for keel/hull repairs from abrasions. Even if I did chicken out that would be very difficult to patch using just the disk.

[@themarcusallen]

Is this more difficult on kayaks with quality materials?

[@willie9397]

I just bought this same kayak do you have any more mods for this one ,thanks and good video

[@KayakDIY]

I did a video of this kayak with stabilizers/outriggers and led lighting.

[@davicitomartinez680]

Greetings. I have a kayak pelican equal to the one you use in the video and would like to know where I can buy a seat back just like your kayak because I look online and I can not. I would greatly appreciate if you can guide me on some place online where I can build that support. Thank you!!

[@KayakDIY]

davicito martinez My Pelican kayak came with this seat back support. Are you looking for a third party aftermarket seat like it? This is closest product I know of. www.amazon.com/dp/B01M63EECJ/?tag=ytk-20

[@bcoutdoors843]

do you know of a storage hatch for the front plus that would make a good video I'd like to get a hatch for the front but with it being curved and most hatches are flat I'm lost

[@myadventureoutdoors]

Simple and straightforward. Thanks.

[@KayakDIY]

+Adventure Outdoors Glad you liked it. Thank you for the feedback. It lets me know what the viewers want to see.

[@leobeker7914]

Thank you for the tut! But in my experience the holes of your screws are not watertight right now! You need to put a lot of silicone on them.

[@KayakDIY]

+Léo BEKER haven't had issues with the hatch. Usually add silicone to hatch rim not screws. Most kayak shops don't put silicone on screws either.

[@leobeker7914]

My bad. Actually one can see at 3min58-4.00 that you ARE putting silicone on the holes for your screws. That should suffice if you are lucky.

[@surfsot3305]

Thanks for the video! All I needed to know!

[@Serenityindailylife]

ok, I'll bite, what was the sealant you used?

[@KayakDIY]

Just use 100% silicone. Clear is best. I had used white because it was what I had readily available and it showed up in videos better. Either doesn't hurt. West Marine and other department stores usually have it. Marine Goop also works well for this application and can be found on amazon for about same price or less than in store.

[@KayakDIY]

Buy Hatches: amzn.to/2bvEW48

[@sparkcruz3319]

What's the hatch for 😬 I just bought a yak and it doesn't have this?

[@KayakDIY]

Hatch just gives you access into kayak hulls for storage, or for installing mounts and kayak accessories that need require access into the hull.

[@Cause023]

Wouldn't stuff inside the hatch end up moving everywhere? Couldn't stuff slide to the front of the kayak hull?

[@KayakDIY]

It can. I stuff the hull with pool noodles for emergency flotation. That limits it from sliding too far. Also, some people install hatches just for access into hull for other rigging purposes. You can also buy hatches with bag inserts. I have links in video description of several hatch options.

[@surfsot3305]

I use four nylon, tall beach chair bags. All have a small rope tied to the string and have a brass clip on the other end of the rope. They all clip to a small, stainless ring under the hatch. I shove one at a time, two in back, two in front. I can carry enough crap to camp for days in my 9' Frenzy!

[@gohavesometea]

@@KayakDIY thanks for the video and the extra info, curious about the pool noodles... have you done a video covering them at all?

[@MattblankNG2Q]

No base plate, on the other side of the hull??

[@KayakDIY]

+Matt blank there is no backing plate on inside of hull. That is really only needed on high stress applications like some tall rod holder mounts or certain anchor mounts.

[@MattblankNG2Q]

KayakDIY I just like to keep things secure and re-enforced. depending on the kayak, some tops are thicker or thinner depending on the manufacturer.

[@juanr7229]

thank you

[@juanr7229]

thank.you great video

[@KayakDIY]

Thank you for the feedback. Glad you liked it. More great videos to come.

[@blake102989]

That hat is fuckin awesome I gotta have one

[@KayakDIY]

It is pretty awesome. Love mine. They make a few variations.

[@blake102989]

@@KayakDIY I'm definitely going to order one