H16 Front Hatch

Does anyone have a recommendation on adding latches to the front hatch. I capsized my PA14 for the first time and was very surprised when the front hatch opened allowing water to pour into the kayak. Fortunately I was only 30 yards or so from the shoreline and was able to pull the kayak to shore. Can’t imagine where the kayak might be if I were in deeper water. Any suggestions besides not flipping in the first place.

There is a hatch latch kit.

84501921 HATCH LATCH KIT - ADJUSTABLE US$ 21.39

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

This should be standard on all PA’s. Hobie has known that the front hatch leaks like a sieve even when it rains but still will not fix it. Instead they want to charge you to fix their problem.

I would love to see a latches on front hatches instead of the cord. I've looked at installing latches on the front hatch of my PA14 just haven't got around to doing it.

The hatch seal will help with the rain and such getting in. Since I installed the hatch seal on mine I can even wash it at a car wash and the hull stays dry. I am not sure the hatch seal would have helped when it flipped.

This latch kit is not about leaks and rain... or swells over the bow. That has been addressed in several other ways already. The hatches seal way better now. We offer kits to update older boats.

71707004 FRONT HATCH SEAL, PA12/14/17T

Instructions: https://static.hobiecat.com/item_attachments/FRONT_HATCH_SEAL_PA12-14-17T_v2.pdf

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

Thank you for the information on the latch kit. I will be ordering these as well as the upgraded trim loc. I have revisited ever thing I did that day and it basically comes down to head and shoulder position while in the kayak (seated). I was retrieving a fish and just lost orientation on my position in the kayak. Hobie should make the latches standard or come up with a better way to secure the hatch. Bottom line this is a safety issue. I had no time to right my capsized kayak before the bow was full of water.