For my van build I know I want to install a boat hatch for ventilation/scenic views at night but never thought of using it as an easy access to the solar panels, until hearing you mention it in this video. Let me just say, that is INGENIOUS. Thank you for sharing my friend!

AWesome through and through... But wheres the link for the Skylight?

Thanks man! I'm installing a Lewmar 44 on my Promaster right now and this was super helpful!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! The skylights I wanted are no longer sold in US and my european friends say the shipping is crazy expensive. So I am also going Boat hatch. I am buying my van tomorrow, and Lewmar is having a 4th of July sale NOW! THANK YOU SO MUCH for the instructions on installing the hatch! I hope you are both well, Ear scratches to coffee bean! Thanks SO MUCH!

@Entgineer

3 жыл бұрын

Hi latifa, how did the skylight work out? Might try it!

We're planning on doing our own DIY skylight in the next few months or so for our van - we haven't seen a boat hatch installation on a van before but this is pretty close to what we're after thanks for sharing :)

Good vid. Thinking of doing the same on my overland camper. I had a hatch over the bow quarters in my yacht that used levers to sinch down and it was watertight on a horizonal surface. So, yeah, marine hatch is the best option for a mobile skylight. (My boat survived two hurricanes without a drop coming in the hatch). However, I'll likely use 3M 5200 instead of buytl tape as I have a flat surface. (you needed buildup to cover the van design)

@pairofdrifters

6 ай бұрын

It’s been years since we installed the boat hatch and it has held up to everything. I imagine it will be there far longer than any of those expensive plastic options on the market.

Great info / great job- many thanks

Thank you so much for this awesome video💗

Skylight link please!?

Thanks for taking the time to make this! While I don't have a van just yet... I plan on joining the fold in 2020 and appreciate the helpful videos!

@pairofdrifters

4 жыл бұрын

That's awesome too hear man! So what's your reasons for wanting to jump into the nomadic lifestyle?

@jaredschutz8486

4 жыл бұрын

​@@pairofdrifters I love the idea of being able to get up and change your scenery as you see fit and also living a more minimalist lifestyle. I've grown a bit too comfortable in my apartment and find myself even taking the large space I have for granted. I also love the feeling of creating useful and utilitarian things by hand. I visualize my future van as one with my art and canvases decorating the walls and perhaps even a rooftop garden of some sort.

thanks for this video man! about to install a lewmar on my van tomorrow... pretty nervous

Great video. Thank you! I'm about to order a hatch and have a choice between a flat base and a flange base. How did you choose the flat and do you know the benefits of each?

Nice work. I was hoping to find a link to the product in the description. What's this one called? And how pricey is it?

Nice job man, but would love to see the finished product

@robpivato4227

2 жыл бұрын

Go for it!

Can anyone please explain the Pro's and Con's of the Flat base design versus the Flange design? Trying to decide which one to get. Advice much appreciated.

Hey, this is a great vid thank you! I'm after something similar and bought a hatch. It's heavy though, 10.5 kgs and I'm wondering if it's too heavy? It's got a flange with doesn't help with the weight. Any thoughts on this? Would love some advice. It would be pretty shit to cut a whole and realise the roof can't support it

The newer Promasters have a spot molded for a sunroof in the middle. Anybody know the dimensions of any vendors that make an exact fit?

Great video ! Where did you buy that boat hatch ?

Hi. How’s the roof hatch working so far? We’re planning to go with roof hatch as well to access the roof instead of having an outside ladder. Is it pretty easy to scoot yourself up through it? Thank you for any advice. Planning to put a small roof deck as well, for stargazing.

Luv it! You did not install it centered side to side: did you do that in order to add a small deck, for a place to stand? If so did you locate it to be over your head when lying in the bed? If so how do you like the location and would you install it that way again? Thank You!

Where’s the link to the boat hatch?

Thank you Which hatch did you install? Lewmar? Size? Just what I want to do also:)

What’s the name of this boat hatch?

Ha I was looking around to see if anyone’s done this because I was thinking about doing it to my RV which is a 1983 Chevy G 30 cutaway C class. How much heat desert glass lid in?

Can you drive with the hatch open?

How has this boat hatch skylight held up for y'all since its installation? My boyfriend and I are leaning towards doing this for our van, too!

How's it goin man? do you recommend this boat hatch for an RV skylight?

Please what kind silicons you used for that ?! If you can send me the link .... thank you and nice video

@pairofdrifters

4 жыл бұрын

Dicor lap sealant and butyl tape 👌 www.homedepot.com/p/Fabral-1-4-in-x-40-ft-Butyl-Rubber-Sealant-Tape-40BT/207149821

do you go to cold places, how is the condensation on the alu frame? Also any leaks or dripping problems of any kind? I want to do the same but have been warned about drips in the night.

@Veveve1

3 жыл бұрын

hello - what do you think about my question?

Hi for some reason I was under the impression this was a Lewmar 44, but the 44 has a hatch opening of 17 3/8“ x 17 3/8“. Your hatch is obviously rectangular, can you tell me which size you guys went with?

Did you put the wood wedges on the top and bottom of the ribs? It looked like you just filled the top of the ribs with the tape. If so, why did you not also use the wood or plastic wedges on the top, this thinner tape on top and bottom of the wedge to make sure it sealed.

@pairofdrifters

8 ай бұрын

Great question.... back in the day I was worried that I didn't put anything there but we only used multiple layers of butyl tape and then lap sealant over. Has been years with no leaks.

So, a few months in... how are you liking it?

@pairofdrifters

4 жыл бұрын

Still Loving it!! No leaks and gives us some great natural light during the day!

Thanks, good video. Definitely looks nicer than the Heki. What boat hatch did you get? I didn't catch the name of it. Thanks!

@keivkeiv

4 жыл бұрын

Lewmar Low Profile? What size did you use?

@pairofdrifters

4 жыл бұрын

@@keivkeiv Yes it was the Lewmar Size 54 Low Profile Hatch

@keivkeiv

4 жыл бұрын

Pair of Drifters clutch. Thanks

@WireMeyer

4 жыл бұрын

Definitely doing this in my Promaster. Where did you buy it?

@pairofdrifters

4 жыл бұрын

@@WireMeyer We purchased ours from eBay

You can't afford a Midi Heki or something like this... so you choose this cheap crap. nice

@pairofdrifters

4 жыл бұрын

LOL

@ramblingcameraman990

4 жыл бұрын

If you know anything about the midi heki, you’d know that the DOMETIC is the cheap crap one. These boat hatches gets installed on sailboats and hold up for years, whereas the dometic is built from plastic and is far less durable. I’ve seen numerous complaints of them cracking, breaking, falling apart, etc. Not only is their much higher price not justified, it’s the crappier product overall regardless of price.

@MensGroup

3 жыл бұрын

@@ramblingcameraman990 True story!

@ORIginaLgifts772

3 жыл бұрын

Aren’t you just so sweet to think they wanted your nasty opinion.