I must be getting wimpy lately cause I sure have trouble getting the hatches off and on my Valley Aquanaut. They really keep the water out but they are so tight you risk tearing your finger nails out every time you open them in cold weather when the rubber is harder. And putting them on tightly can be so hard that it is tempting to just leave them half loose- not a good idea. A lot of my friends carry a little piece of wood (1 1/2 by 3/8 by 4 inch long works) to push the edges of the cover down into the slot. Anyway, I came up with a modification of a plastic bucket lid opener which is available at most hardware stores. Check it out-- http://homertide.blogspot.com/ Any other ideas? Happy Holidays!

I'd Hate to break a nail!! Great idea , i'll be looking for one of those.

I went there, but I didn't see anything about Valley hatches. Which post was it?

What I don't understand about rubber hatch covers is why they don't all have robust lift tabs on them. On my boat, only one hatch cover has a lift tab. I learned not to use the tether tab as a lift tab on the others.

My next boat, which is being built for me right now, shouldn't have any such issues, due to the type of hatch covers they use.

Try this link again- http://homertide.blogspot.com/ it goes right to the Nov 26 posting. My Tempest had lift tabs on the hatch covers but those covers are softer rubber and were so loose that they leaked alot and I was afraid waves would knock the cover clear off the hatch. (Took that boat back to REI because of those leaky covers.) The Valley covers would need a big lift tab cause they are so tight. Mine are actually harder to put on tightly than to get off. Do those plastic covers with the neoprene liners seal well and hold up over time?

I have no experience with plastic covers with neoprene liners. I would assume that in time, any sealing system will need service, or replacement.

I have neoprene hatch covers with plastic over covers. As per Prijon Seayak and Perception Eco Bezhig. Had them for 3 years now and no problems with them at all. The neoprene will let some water in after long submersion but I keep everything in dry bags anyway.

Cheers

Bill