How to Make a Hatch Cover

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A hatch cover is an easy way to protect your hatch window, keep the sunlight out and eliminate additional heat buildup inside your boat. Lucky for us, it just so happens that making a hatch cover can be a very simple sewing project! This is a great beginner project for boat owners who are just dipping their toes in the DIY pool. Our video tutorial walks you through the entire measuring, cutting, patterning and sewing process. We never leave anything out, making it easy for new sewers to follow along and make a great-looking hatch cover. Let's get started with today's easy DIY project.

Video Chapters:

Taking Measurements – 0:22 min.
Patterning Sunbrella – 1:26 min.
Sewing Hatch Cover – 6:38 min.
Creating Pleats – 9:41 min.
Installing Hatch Cover – 15:19 min.
Materials List – 17:13 min.

Materials List:

Sunbrella^® Marine Grade Marine Blue 60" Fabric – #6078-0000
Tex 90 Polyester or Lifetime Thread
Leech Line Dacron 1/8" White – #21209
1/4" Black Barrel Lock Cord Closure – #102552

Tools List:

Tape Measure 120" – #102986
Soapstone Fabric Marking Pencil White – #102766
T Pins 2" Long (Pk364) – #95848
Sailrite^® Rubber Poundo Board 12" x 12" – #378100
Sailrite^® Edge Hotknife Package – #103800

Making a Custom Hatch Cover

We patterned a hatch cover to fit the square hatch opening of our Seaward 24 boat. It features Sunbrella^® fabric and Tenara^® thread, both of which are UV resistant, so the hatch cover will last for many years. Although there are several different ways to design a hatch cover, we decided to use a leech line drawstring to secure the hatch cover to the hatch.

Watch this step-by-step video demonstration on how to make your own drawstring hatch cover for your boat. Below the video, you'll find the complete materials and tools list needed to make this project. Order your supplies from Sailrite, then follow the video tutorial to make your own well-fitting, quality hatch cover.

Customization for Different Hatch Shapes

If you don't have a square hatch opening, we hope this can be a good starting point for your own custom design. Feel free to call, email or message us using the online chat function on our website if you have questions about this design, or if you need advice on how to modify this design to fit your boat's hatch shape.

Join the conversation! Leave a reply below with your comments, questions or suggestions. If you have an idea for a marine project we don't offer, post your suggestions in the comments section below. We're always looking for new DIY project ideas. And who knows — your suggestion might become a future Sailrite how-to video!