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This video is brought to you by Sailrite. In this video we will be showing you how to
make and install inside hatch covers to this Islander 37 sailboat. The hatch covers will
help add some privacy, but most importantly help to block some of the intensive sun while
still allowing light to filter through. Let's get started and show you how to make your
very own inside hatch covers using fabrics from Sailrite.
Take measurements of the hatch from trim edge to trim edge. This measurement will be the
finished size of our inside hatch cover. To pattern the material we will need to add 2
inches to all edges. That means a total of 4 inches. This 2 inches will be used for a
double hem to finish the edges and provide reinforcement for snap installation. Here
we are transferring our measurements to the fabric with a yards stick and marker and using
an L square to insure that the edges are 90 degrees. Now we will strike a line that is
2 inches away from the outside line. This line will be used to create our double hem
and also as a reference to cut away the excess fabric at each of the corners.
When our double hem is created if we don't cut away the extra fabric it would result
in a lot of bulk fabric at each corner, 6 layers total. So by cutting away this 2 inch
by 2inch square our corner will be less bulky and easier for fastener installation in a
future step. We are using a Phifertex mesh fabric which
cuts easily with scissors. Since we will be creating a double hem we will not need to
worry about the raw edges, even though Phifertex will usually not unravel much.
For our Hatch Cover we're using a Phifertex Mesh Fabric. This wider mesh fabric (meaning
a more open weave) will provide some privacy and has a shade factor of about 70% allowing
some light to flow into the cabin. If you'd prefer less light, we suggest using Phifertex
Plus or Sunbrella Sling fabrics which have a tighter weave resulting in about a 90 to
95% shade factor. You can find all of these fabrics and many more online at Sailrite.com.
Our fabric has been patterned for our hatch opening. Next up comes the sewing of the hem.
Simply fold the fabric's raw edge over to the inside line and create a crease in the
fabric by pressing firmly. Then fold the fabric one more time to create our double hem. We
are using the Sailrite Big-n-Tall sewing machine, however this Phifertex fabric sews easily
with a home sewing machine. We are placing one row of straight stitch that are about
6mm in length along the inside edge of the fold, about an 1/8 inch away from the fold.
We did a little reversing at the beginning to lock our stitch in place.
When we reach the corner we will stop sewing and then create our double hem yet again and
sew down that leg. Repeat this until you finish all sides of the inside hatch cover. Notice
that when she gets to the corner she leaves her needle buried in the fabric lifts the
presser foot, turns the fabric and then lower the presser foot and continues to sew.
We have skipped ahead to the last stitch here and now we are done.
We have decided to use the YKK Snads instead of snap studs which would need to be screwed
into our trim boards. How to install these snads is coming up next.
The YKK Snads fasteners stick to surfaces with an adhesive VHB (very high bond) from
3M. We need to clean the surface with an alcoholic prep pad first. Then I usually always use
the 3M adhesive promoter called 94 Primer which ensures that 3M tapes stick just about
anywhere. After dabbing the corner for each one of the snads installations allow the primer
to completely dry for about 5 minutes. The flexible base snad is what we are using
here. Just peel back the backing which reveals the glue and then stick it to the prepped
surface. Bond strength is dependent upon the amount of adhesive-to-surface contact developed.
Firm application pressure develops a better adhesive contact and thus improves bond strength.
After application, the bond strength increases and approaches the ultimate bond strength
after 72 hours at 70ºF. It is not recommended to use the snad until it has cured for about
72 hours. We will be installing the snap's button and
socket to the fabric using the Sailrite Snaprite system. The Snaprite system will give us there
major advantages; 1. Positioning the snap. 2. Cutting the hole and 3. Installing the
snap.Sailrite carries other snap installation tools also, but for this application the Snaprite
is the best choice. Snap the Snaprite socket die onto the snap
stud and use it to position the fabric. We will insert a Snaprite Button in the button
die which is screwed into a standard riveting tool. Once the mandrel is in the correct location
then all we have to do is slide the button over the mandrel and depress the lever of
the riveting tool a few times until the snap is set well in the fabric. The mandrel does
not necessarily need to break to accomplish a good set.
Remove the die from the snap stud and then snap the fabric in place. Follow that same
procedure for the remaining snaps. Once one snap is set we can now use the Snaprite system
as a positioning system to determine the exact location of each snap.
We will skip ahead here and show the inside hatch cover installed.
The materials list is coming up next. For this hatch cover we used a Phifertex fabric,
but you can also use Phifertex Plus which does block even more sun or Sunbrella Sling
fabric all available from Sailrite. For more free videos like this be sure to check out
the Sailrite website or subscribe to the Sailrite YouTube channel. It's your loyal patronage
that makes these free videos available, thanks for your loyal support! I'm Eric Grant and
from all of us here at Sailrite, thanks for watching!