Vessel Details

The different types of hatch system used on Lake boats. Wood - Telescoping - Kestner.

 Wood Hatch System   Late 1800's - Early 1900's       

Collection: Here is a series of images showing a very early hatch system from the later 1800's. Color images are take in the 1940's so they where still in use then. Note the wood planks used for the covers, then draped with a heavy caves to help seal them. The caves was held in place by long rods at each of the four sides. Clamps where then used to hold down these rods.

 Telescoping Hatch System   Early 1900's to 1950's        

Collection: This system came about in the early 1900's to accommodate the large boats of the time. The idea was to have a stronger hatch that was less labor intensive. The hatch was made of smaller individual covers that side outboard over top of themselves "telescoping". Winches where used to pull each hatch open. Note the clamps to hold them in place.

 Kestner Hatch System     1947 to present   

Collection: Here is some good images of the Kestner Clamps that came into use in 1947. There is also two sets of plans, one is the original patent drawings and the other from the Paul R. Tregurtha. Note how the clamp plans are very similar with differences in the hatch itself. Clamp is 1.5 inches square, some dimensions can be derived for scaling the rest of the plan dimensions.

View Plans:  Original Patent    Paul R. Tregurtha