Another Square Hatch Install

Well, after a lot of debating and more YouTube videos than any one person should watch about one subject, I finally got up enough nerves to cut a big hole in my Outback.
I removed the old round hatch and marked out the square hatch using the backing plate just like everyone else in the videos.  I used an Allen wrench and put it through the backing plate and the center screw hole from the old round hatch.  The one in the front of the old round hatch.  I then just eyeballed it and traced it out.
After staring at it for awhile (and downing a few shots of liquid courage) I picked up the jig saw and went to work. 😧



It's not the prettiest cut but I did it.  Insayn said it looked like I cut it out with an angry beaver.  😁

I made sure the hatch fit in without issue and it fit like a glove.  After the issues Idaho Brit had I even put the bucket in to make sure it fit too and it was perfect.

I cleaned up the area with some sand paper and the shop vac.  I put the gasket on the underside of the hatch and put the backing plate in the hole and held it up while I put in the first screw.  BTW... The screws that they recommend (#10 x 3/4 in) were too short.  I saw this mentioned a few times in a couple of the videos I watched although not all had this issue but I did.  I had to go to my local hardware store and pick up the 1in long screws which worked like a charm.  I put a screw in the four corners to hold everything together then I dipped the others into some Marine Goop and installed them all.  I then pulled out the four that I had first put in and put some Goop on those.  I don't think the Goop was necessary but I figured it wouldn't hurt.
Here are some pictures of the finished product.





If you look close you can see that I didn't quite have it as lined up as I thought it was... maybe I shouldn't have had that liquid courage.  Oh well, at least I finally did it and as long as it don't leak I'll call it a win.  😀

I also bought the tackle management system but I don't know what I think of that yet.  I can see me using the bucket more.

Nice install there hdoffsquremonkey    should have let INSAYN mark it or at least measure your mark twice before you chewed it out 

Looks good.  I think you will really like it.  I have been very happy with the bucket.  I use 5"x 9" plano type containers in the bucket and the rest of the stuff is just loose.

Way to be brave enough to make the cut.

Nice install there hdoffsquremonkey    should have let INSAYN mark it or at least measure your mark twice before you chewed it out 

Ha ha...  It looked straight from where I was standing.

Looks good.  I think you will really like it.  I have been very happy with the bucket.  I use 5"x 9" plano type containers in the bucket and the rest of the stuff is just loose.

Way to be brave enough to make the cut.

Thanks.  It was a long time coming.  Having that square hatch really opens up the storage space in the hull making it more useful.  I can't wait to test it on the water.

Nice!   

Looks great.  I really want to do this, it looks so much more roomy and useful compared to the round hatch.  I bet I could get rid of my crate if I installed that.

Good job

Nice! That's the one thing I loved about the PA12. That hatch is in the best spot. 

Looks great.  I really want to do this, it looks so much more roomy and useful compared to the round hatch.  I bet I could get rid of my crate if I installed that.

Good job

Thanks.  If you are on the fence about doing this mod, I highly recommend it.  It wasn't hard.  The hardest part was making that first cut.

Nice! That's the one thing I loved about the PA12. That hatch is in the best spot.

Thanks Zee.  I wished they'd make this standard on the Outbacks too.

For those doing this mod I would also save the cut off pieces of plastic, you never know if you need to fill a hole in your kayak (filling in a screw hole or whatever.)

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

For those doing this mod I would also save the cut off pieces of plastic, you never know if you need to fill a hole in your kayak (filling in a screw hole or whatever.)

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Good point Matt.  I have them stashed away.

Nice job, way to get it done. You'll be happy with it I'm sure. For my $$ buckets are the way to go. I've got other places I can put little tackle boxes, but I need space for all the random stuff.

Nice job, way to get it done. You'll be happy with it I'm sure. For my $$ buckets are the way to go. I've got other places I can put little tackle boxes, but I need space for all the random stuff.

Thanks Capt.

Well, after a lot of debating and more YouTube videos than any one person should watch about one subject, I finally got up enough nerves to cut a big hole in my Outback.

...

I also bought the tackle management system but I don't know what I think of that yet.  I can see me using the bucket more.

Nice description of your install.  I've been very happy with my setup, having installed the square hatch when I bought my Outback 2 years ago.  One benefit that I don't see mentioned often - it seals so much better than the round hatches!  Unless it's raining when I open/close the hatch, I get 0 water in the bucket.  Even in sloppy surf entry/exit.

I too bought the tackle management system and have never used it.  Anybody interested in trying it out without buying - let me know and I'll see if I can dig mine up.

Note: due to the shape of the bucket, the size of the waterproof container my LI battery is in, and the shape of the Outback hull, my battery sits perfectly beneath the bucket, centered in the kayak.  Like!

-Sam

Well, after a lot of debating and more YouTube videos than any one person should watch about one subject, I finally got up enough nerves to cut a big hole in my Outback.

...

I also bought the tackle management system but I don't know what I think of that yet.  I can see me using the bucket more.

Nice description of your install.  I've been very happy with my setup, having installed the square hatch when I bought my Outback 2 years ago.  One benefit that I don't see mentioned often - it seals so much better than the round hatches!  Unless it's raining when I open/close the hatch, I get 0 water in the bucket.  Even in sloppy surf entry/exit.

I too bought the tackle management system and have never used it.  Anybody interested in trying it out without buying - let me know and I'll see if I can dig mine up.

Note: due to the shape of the bucket, the size of the waterproof container my LI battery is in, and the shape of the Outback hull, my battery sits perfectly beneath the bucket, centered in the kayak.  Like!

-Sam

Yep, I can attest to the better sealing.  It was raining quite a lot today out on Hagg Lake and no moisture in the bucket.  Love it!