: Kirk,

: How did the holding power of your magnets work out? I am at the
: hatch stage with my Redfish King and want to use magents. Joe
: uses 12-15 per hatch, you only used 8. How strong did that turn
: out to be? What did you end up doing for a way to lift the
: hatch? I've been toying with a finger hole design (sealed on the
: inside), which would allow for a clean deck but a good grip on
: the hatch cover. But it would collect a small amount of water...
: If the notch on the side is enough, that would be better...

: Thanks!
: Claudia

Hi Claudia

I did a test today. I hadn't tried the seal material I'd bought yet, still sanding and finishing. The short answer is, I'm not satisfied with the seal I'm getting. Detailed pics and explanation at:

http://farback.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=26

I think I have enough magnets but the weather strip I've used might be too thick/in-compressible. It's 1/4 thick by 3/8 wide. I'm going to test some different types or maybe dremel this stuff thinner. I stacked weights on the hatch bottoms to test the break force. Without the seal material it held 17 1/2 pounds. With the seal material it held 5 pounds but an additional 2 1/2 opened it. See the pics. The hatch is sitting too high to be 'aesthetically pleasing'.

More magnets might solve it, but I'm starting with changes to the seal material. By the way, I went with a web loop for a pull release. The hatch will be safetied by a length of bungie with my first CF custom fittings.

The stack of weights in my possession explains my notable physique, which has been described as 'Rubenesque'. I assume he was a 18th century body builder.

Kirk