Rich,

I have converted my Tern to magnetic hatches and they work well. I used 14 pairs on the rear hatch and 12 on the front hatch, all without the steel cups or washers. The hatch stays on and does not leak, even when rolling. However I would really hate losing a hatch lid, or having it slap around at highway speeds, so I use a strap over the hatches when car topping.

To get the magnets to work, you must use a gasket that compresses down real thin. Also, they will rust so they must be completely sealed against water exposure. Otherwise they are wonderfully convenient.

Ted

: I've seen mention of using 'Rare Earth' magnets for hatch holddowns. Are the
: magnets used in addition to some kind of strap or are they enough by
: themselves? Does it take a pair of magnets at each location or a magnet
: paired with a steel washer? Can anyone provide details of this method?