Rectangular middle hatch and circular front hatch install on 2021 Hobie Compass

After much indecision, I went ahead and installed the rectangular hatch and moved the circular hatch to the front. A big part of the reason is for front access but also realizing that having a bigger middle hatch can be very useful if I just learn to utilize it properly. Keep in mind that everything you add permanently affixed to the kayak adds weight, and although a hatch may not seem like a lot, a couple pounds is actually a decent amount as a percentage of the kayak's entire weight.
Also, if you have this model kayak and are thinking of having the rectangular bucket inside the hatch, you will need to cut the bucket down as it does not fit. It actually hits part of the bottom hull and prevents closing the hatch. You may want to consider going with the vertical position rectangular hatch, which should clear the part that hits, or trim the $30 piece of plastic, or find another way to make it fit.
I ended up trimming the top of the bucket to make it fit. Here's that video: • Trimming the Hobie rec...
#diykayak #kayakhatch #fishingkayakbuild

[@CrabbinNFishin]

You made quick work of the rectangular hatch and definitely made it look very easy.

[@PeterRanieriII]

Thanks 👍 yea the fast motion will do that lol. Nah seriously the rectangular hatch part was easier than putting the front hatch. If you have a good saw then it’s not too bad

[@CrabbinNFishin]

@@PeterRanieriII I want one, but the price is just plain silly

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@CrabbinNFishin the price is silly, even worse is the plastic bucket that’s fits for it is like $37. Is it necessary? No not really, I do fine on my parents’ passports that don’t have it.

[@CrabbinNFishin]

Hey Peter ! Any idea what the inner lip dimension is on the hatch? I just can't justify the cost but the one I bought seems about an inch too narrow for my liking. The beam with is perfect, just concerned with the forward an aft ends. Thanks Ben

[@PeterRanieriII]

Hey Ben! The inner clear dimensions on the hatch are 11 3/8” by 7 7/8”. Yeah I hate that I had to buy a piece of plastic for 40$ too but I just couldn’t find an exact fit anywhere. I hope you find one!

[@catchingmoefish]

Very cool video that kayak is going to be the best oooking compass

[@PeterRanieriII]

Haha thanks, it’s funny how all the things I’m doing are to try and be like an outback

[@catchingmoefish]

@@PeterRanieriII it’s cool though you get to do it yourself how you want it makes it special

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@catchingmoefish I completely agree, a lot more fun this way too, I like DIY stuff

[@Cyfi71]

Looks good, Peter. I'm still not sold on the square hatch but I did get another round hatch on Amazon for the bow under twenty bucks. Save your pieces as you can use them for plastic welding later if you need to. 😎

[@PeterRanieriII]

Thanks, yea I wasn’t sold on it at first but it’s growing on me. That was smart though to get front access by just buying a cheap circular hatch. On one hand the text hatch is nice that it’s large so I can fit stuff down in the hull more easily like the fish finder battery and it’s box but on the other hand I really don’t need it to be that big, lol. I def saved the pieces, haha my son got bored of them later that day

[@joanbuhigas4323]

Hi, thanks for this video. What is the reference of the rectangular hatch? I need the dimension of the White interior box. Do you have de WEB? thanks a lot fom Barcelona! Sorry for my english.....

[@PeterRanieriII]

Here’s a link to the hatch: Kayak Rectangular Hobie Twist N Seal Hatch Kit #71707003 Hatch, Gasket, Hardware a.co/d/jkLAD9r The bucket dimensions in inches are roughly 7.5” x 11.5” x 4.5” but I did trim the top flange a little to make it fit because it was a little too high. Thanks for the question, hope it all works out!

[@joanbuhigas4323]

@@PeterRanieriII thanks a lot!

[@60watergr]

Nice vid! I have to upgrade to this also. My friend any tips for its storage? What are you using?

[@PeterRanieriII]

Thanks! For the rectangular hatch I ended up trimming the top of the plastic box that goes in to make it fit and then that’s it, my gear in the plastic box is not organized but I just keep like handy lures I’m using that day such as jig heads and some soft plastics

[@60watergr]

@@PeterRanieriII sry maybe i wasn't clear enough. How you store your kayak! :) What you use and do you put it upside down?

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@60watergr ahhh that’s a great question. I originally built a rack for the 3 kayaks I had ( 2 are just sit ins). But now that I have this one and the rack is full I’m currently just resting it on saw horses (you may notice them in previous videos). I have pool noodles between the kayak and the saw horse support to help cushion the hull as I usually store it right side up. You are supposed to store upside down but that’s only really necessary for long term and if the support has a sharp edge that could dent the hull overtime. But if you provide cushioning there’s no problem, the kayak as a whole can span it’s weight

[@60watergr]

@@PeterRanieriII thanks for the answer my friend :) really appreciate it! Gonna do the same then! Have a good day

[@Robonza]

Great video. I was going to install the rectangle hatch then I felt how heavy it was. I ended up making a really nice bucket for the round hatch instead. I need this thing as light as possible.

[@PeterRanieriII]

Thanks, and yes it is heavy, and yes I really wanted this kayak as light as possible. I’m still ok that I did the big hatch bc it’s helped me eliminate the need for a crate but I totally could have gotten away with what you did and I think that’s actually really smart, as long as you can fit the box that your going to put the fish finder battery in.

[@Robonza]

@@PeterRanieriII My finder battery is a super light recycled dyson vac battery. I get them free. Only 250 grams and run all day

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@Robonza genius!

[@Robonza]

@@PeterRanieriII I am building the rod holder per "Flying Fish TV" it looks awesome. No rod holders in front of the seat for clean space.

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@Robonza that rocket launcher looks amazing, love that guy's channel I'm so jealous of all the pelagics he catches. I like having 1 rod holder in the front though for when I catch a fish its easy to put the rod in while I dehook the fish

[@MrScorpion83]

Nice work 👍🏼 Does this model of the round hatch you installed leak? Or is it well sealed? I have the same model but I didn’t install it yet on my 2021 outback because some people told me this model leak and better to get the other model that comes with split ring

[@PeterRanieriII]

It def leaks. If you need a really good seal I wouldn’t get this one. I really don’t think many out there are perfectly watertight though, it’s just the nature of these kinds of kayaks, if your going to be taking waves over the bow or be out there in the rain, water will get into the hull. But the more holes and openIngs you put the worse it can get I guess and doesn’t hurt to try for a better hatch if it’s out there

[@MrScorpion83]

@@PeterRanieriII thanks for your reply my friend I think I won’t install it

[@LI-FLKayakFisherman]

Heat gun, soften the corner and push it into place. That might work if your tolerance is only off by a bit.

[@PeterRanieriII]

Yea that’s a great idea, I coulda done that but I don’t have a heat gun so I ended up trimming the top where it was protruding a little. It works now but was just a little disappointed that I paid $30 for a piece of plastic I had to modify, lol

[@jayl24]

Thanks for the video! I have also recently installed a rectangular hatch and had same issue about the bucket. I haven't talked with the Hobie dealer on this. Not sure if they have the bucket for Compass, which should be 4" deep instead of 5". Any comments? Many thanks!

[@PeterRanieriII]

I’m glad you liked the vid! I asked around on a kayak Facebook group and many others had the same issue as well, it seems they actually made the hull a little shallower on the newer compasses. And I don’t think hobie has a bucket for the compass specifically bc it used to fit both outback and older compass hulls. Even if they made the bucket 4.5” it would prob fit as it’s pretty close. Thanks for watching!

[@jayl24]

@@PeterRanieriII Hobie told me today that I have to either jack up the deck by using pool noodles bundled together by zip ties or buy Berleypro’s bucket bro for hobie.

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@jayl24 thanks for getting back to me on that. Yea I wouldn’t even attempt the pool noodle idea they told you, that’s not going be a long term solution even if it actually works which I have my doubts. In hindsight I would’ve bought the berley pro bucket that is shallower then. But I also don’t mind what I did which is cutting the top off a little to make it fit. What are you thinking of doing?

[@jayl24]

@@PeterRanieriII I looked at the hatch today. I agree with you. Pool noodles won't be rigid/stable enough to support the much elevated deck. How did you cut the top part of the bucket, as there is a lid at the top that sits on the edge of the hatch? Thanks!

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@jayl24 exactly. Yea the lip will be gone on like 75% of the box. I did record a video of me doing it so I may edit and publish but to explain it in words I just marked the area I would have to cut and then took my strong wire cutters and just snipped all around 3 sides, a little at a time, bc I didn’t want to over trim and it be under the top of the hull. It’s roughly 1/4” - 1/2” that has to be trimmed.

[@yakanglernj8798]

I am debating between the horizontal vs vertical hatch installation. Are you happy with the horizontal hatch? If you had to do it over would have chosen the vertical hatch? Your mods came out great!

[@PeterRanieriII]

Thanks! I do like the horizontal hatch now that I’ve gotten used to it but it was a pain to trim the bucket to make it fit. I think if I did it over I would do the vertical bc then wouldn’t have to trim bucket plus I find myself needing to move my gulp container or other random items on the deck out of the way to open the horizontal bc it’s so wide.

[@yosuecaridad944]

@@PeterRanieriII this make so much sense

[@astrofishing]

Perfec

[@juansantiago2915]

Water prof?

[@PeterRanieriII]

definitely not completely waterproof, on really choppy days i get a little water inside the hull. The hatches on all these kayaks leak slightly, that is the nature of them. The front hatch leaks more than the middle one. I've even taken them off and put a bead of silicone around where they attach but it seems the hatch door itself is what leaks slightly

[@dngendron]

Save all that plastic you cut from the boat incase you need to do any plastic welding repairs some day 👍🏼

[@PeterRanieriII]

Oh yes! I do have it saved, forgot to mention in this video but yes that’s very wise

[@robertchapa6243]

i have made and solution to your issue about your bucket not fitting in your hatch. I had the same problem, and fixed it. if you interested let me know how i can send u pictures on what i did. I cut a 2x4 with the same contour of the bottom of the hull its about 4 1/2" long on the right and left sides in front of the hatch and makes the gap between the hull and top wider, so you can insert your bucket with no more issues.

[@PeterRanieriII]

So if I think I understand you correctly, you pretty much spread the hull out a little from top to bottom with 2x4's supporting it? Thats a pretty cool idea, I eventually just cut the plastic box down a little so that it fit but thanks for letting me know about this way. Def more than 1 way to solve the issue, thanks for watching!