Companionship Hatch, what does yours say about you?

The companionship reveals much about the Sailor.

- Submarine Commander Bill King favoured a round hatch similar to those featured on WWII submarines.
- Colonel 'Blondie' Hasler also favoured the circular deck hatches (two on his modified Folkboat). But for different reasons; he was keen on kayak design and deeply individual, having a downwind hatch to throw up or loss out of.
- Roger D. Taylor remodelled the entire rear end of his coach-house and fitted a deck hatch (just like the common forward hatch). With junk rig and remote controlled windvane, he loathed going out on deck.
- Many sailors of production fibreglass yachts are apparently happy for a lightweight sliding hatch, and expansive timber hatchboards.

The latter is what I have, but I am doubtful as to its suitability for offshore sailing. It's wafer thin, too weak to walk on. Captain Fatty Goodlander agrees, and recommends beefing up the sliding hatch and tethering the hatchboards to the ship (when you flip, the boards drop out and wash overboard and waves below decks are never been a 'good thing').

As The Fat Man says, your little rougher sail boat is now safer than most boats over  $300 k. - Well if they ever leave the marina berth.

As a bonus, Capt. Fatty suggests fitting a  board over the lower board to create a seat that becomes a handy perch at sea;  as a lookout, access to cockpit and below.