Hobie 18 inspection port replacement

My 89 18SX still has its original inspection ports and it is time to replace them. I believe they are leaking and the covers are difficult to unscrew. I was wondering if anyone has tried the new Twist-N-Seal hatch covers that have the hinged lid (part # 71701). First of all can they be used on an 18 and how well do they seal compared with the stock 18 hatch covers?

I like the idea of having the hatch bag for storage with a lid that is easy to get off and that I won't drop overboard.

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Paul


2020 Getaway
http://www.fleet297.org

You'll probably be the first one to use them. Send in a full report.

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The Twist-n-seal hatches will work great on an 18. They seal better than any other hatch that has been available on the market. There is a bag kit availble too.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

INSPECTION PORT UPDATE:

The twist-N-seal hatches won't work on the 18 when replacing the original hatches. I called my Hobie dealer to order them and he gave me the dimensions. The problem is with the outer ring that attaches to the hull via screws. The stock hatches have a ring that is 8" in diameter (the 6" hatch lid screws into this ring). The Twist-N-Seal hatches outer ring is 9" in diameter. As you 18 owners know the hulls are convex on top and the stock hatches are located just behind the front cross bar. The hatches are not convex they are flat. So the hulls were molded in this area to accommodate the flat hatches and it makes is so the hatches are fairly flush with the top of the convex curve. This recessed area will only accept a hatch with a 8" ring. Therefore, I had to just order the standard screw on type replacement hatches with fat bags.

If you had to add a hatch else ware to do some repairs I believe you could use the twist-N-seal hatch since you would be mounting the hatch ring right on top of the convex hull and seating it with silicone to make a flat spot.

_________________
Paul


2020 Getaway
http://www.fleet297.org

Yes.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

And Yes... the Twist and Seal hatch will work on the H18. We did an install here to test.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)