Annie wrote:

[...] The rotating hood allows me to have pleny of air moving through the boat, even in heavy rain from astern: it also allows me to use the hood as a wind scoop.  It is a lovely place to contemplate the morning with a cup of tea.  Oh yes - it's an excellent place to keep watch and manage the sail(s)!

I found your argument convincing. This seems like the simplest solution for me to sail in the rain without getting completely soaked and to sail in the sun without getting directly cooked.

The first time I read through the rotating pram hood section of PJR I did not understand how it operates or how I would make one. In the last few weeks I read this section again and still had no idea. Then I looked at the photos and details you shared here. I was still not able to get it straight in my head.

After going back and forth between your photos and the information in PJR several times I am now confident in my understanding of the pramhood construction and operation. The pictures were, as you hoped, worth a thousand words.

Will you answer two questions about the pram hood arrangement on Fanshi?

First, would you please share the actual dimension of the rings 'E' and 'F' from PJR Figure 13.15? I am considering using 1/2" plywood.

Second, can you confirm that my understanding of the companionway arrangement on Fanshi is correct? It looks like there is a section of the deck that will prevent the companionway from being opened completely. To enter from the cockpit you will need to sort of climb under the deck and to enter from the deck you will need to go straight down the circular hatch. Did I get that right?

David wrote:

Scott wrote:

I was thinking about something doing something like this with the large hatch.

I think that companionway style is flawed. With an almost horizontal opening every time it rains, or in rough sea conditions, the hatch will need to be closed ... Some type of dodger, either soft or hard improves the all weather utilisation of an open, or partially open companionway. 

I share this view. This type of companionway is for very serious sailing in high latitudes where a rollover is a distinct possibility, and needs to be combined with a lookout position that is equally watertight - a clear dome, a Hasler pramhood with good closure or a Mingming-style doghouse. A rollover, not just a 120˚ knockdown, a conventional sliding hatch + captive washboards can cope with that (a few cupfuls of water spurting through the chinks might be annoying, but they are not life-threatening). The only example that I'd want to go to sea with is this one, with a hard dodger protecting the angled hatch. Not that I have any intention of circumnavigating non-stop in a 22ft boat. 

Anonymous wrote:

David wrote:

[...] we are very close to a launch date so will know how it all works out in a months time.

Congratulations! I need to learn your secret. I think you will finish building a complete boat in less time than I spent converting this one.

I was thinking about something doing something like this with the large hatch.

I bet a very good dodger or hood could go a long way to help her keep that nice smile.

Scott wrote:

Thank you David, Mark and David.

I very much appreciate the advice of long-time sailors. I will take it to heart.

I am shopping for a small ventilation hatch that will go on the foredeck somewhere. I think I will hold on to the full size hatch and use it to make a more water-tight companionway, if I ever have time!

I had hoped to avoid spending money on a new hatch. If anyone knows someone who wants to buy the original mast and other spars please send them my way! That would really help my boat budget.

Proper deck hatches are very expensive, which is one thing that did motivate my decision. But I am happy with my smaller Vetus hatch which measures about 280 mm x 150 mm. The hinges will be on the forward side so the hatch will open on the aft side. That way even in heavy rain it can be left slightly open to provide some ventilation. It is positioned above the head end of the double berth so as to provide ventilation through the night.

The aft cabin bulkhead also has a window which is hinged at the top and can be propped open. This is important for ventilation in New Zealand's quite hot summer climate. 

I am not totally sure of the best answer for a water-tight companionway on a small yacht. Annie has her own very good solution. On 'Footprints' we had a conventional companionway and sliding hatch, with a solid dodger built just around the hatch opening. That proved to be very waterproof even in an ocean crossing environment with waves sweeping across the deck and through the cockpit. But the companionway opening was set forward by about 300 mm from the aft cabin bulkhead which I expect contributed to the success of the arrangement. I had hope to duplicate this on the catamaran but have been unable to do so for practical reasons in such a small boat. So I have a conventional sliding hatch with drop boards in the opening. I intend having a boom tent which I hope will help with a waterproof cabin opening when staying on board during inclement weather. Anyway we are very close to a launch date so will know how it all works out in a months time.

Perhaps Benefits of a fore hatch needs a separate thread?

one other:

the mast falls down, an blocks the main hatch.  A reason to avoid a single outward opening hatch.  You don’t see this on yachts, but all Navy vessel do so.