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> Why do Valley Canoe Product hatches cost so much? Are they worth that
> much? Are their any similar and cheaper alternatives?
They're expensive because Stan can import and wholesale them for a price which generates that retail price and still get buyers. The dealers pass those charges on to us. It's called supply and demand.
The reason people will pay that for them is 'cause they work really well. If you view your boat as a coffee table more more than as a water vehicle, you might skip hatches altogether. Or put screw-in plastic access panels in the bulkhead to store small items, because you're probably not going to do a lot of expedition paddling in a coffee table anyway. I find myself as far into this as anybody --- the "coffee table" thing --- but the North Bay is my fourth boat, and I have lots of utility boats (with watertight VCP hatches) to crash and dash around in.
To see how far away from the septic tank you can get, take a look at Bobby Curtis' web site and see how he's recessed some of his VCPs in his North Bays. It's an interesting image --- the septic tank lid or garbage can cover --- but I'd rather have a couple of dry compartments if I'm paddling the lumpy stuff than a pristine deck and water in the hold!
Jack
This is an archived message from The Kayak Building Bulletin Board.
Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
