Installing a Glove Compartment and Navigation Station on Your Kayak

Installing a Glove Compartment and Navigation Station on Your Kayak

 

Installing a Whiskey Hatch and integrated compass provides a convenient, weather-resistant storage space and navigation mount for your kayak. Watch the video to really understand, but here is the basic outline of the process.

1. Preparation and Assembly

  • Cut the Parts: Use the provided plans to cut your plywood panels (3mm). If you don't have a CNC machine, you can mark the corners by poking through the paper plans onto the plywood.
  • Glassing: Apply a light layer of fiberglass cloth (2 oz or 4 oz) to the plywood parts using epoxy. Once cured, trim excess cloth and lightly sand the edges .
  • Box Assembly: Dry-fit the panels using masking tape to hold them in place. Once satisfied with the fit, use CA glue to "spot weld" the joints. Bevel the edges before assembly to ensure a tight, professional seal.
  • Compass Bulkhead: Assemble the compass bulkhead with an approximate 37° anglefor the chamfers. Fillet the interior seams using thickened epoxy (dookie schmutz) for structural integrity.

2. Fitting to the Kayak

  • Spacer Rings: Use a sandpaper-on-a-surface technique to shape the spacer rings so they match the curvature of your kayak deck. This ensures a snug, gap-free fit.
  • Deck Integration: Center the hatch on the deck. Use calipers to ensure even spacing. Carefully cut the hole in the deck, keeping the cut slightly inside your marked lines to allow for fine-tuning.

3. Installation and Finishing

  • Bonding: Scuff all surfaces before applying epoxy to ensure a strong bond. Mask around the installation area to keep the surrounding deck clean. Once the hatch is positioned, glass it into place using 4 oz cloth.
  • Compass Recess: For the compass, create a dome shape using a modified Christmas ornament as a form and fiberglassing over it. Once cured, cut the dome to fit, drill mounting holes for the Silva 70P compass, and bond it into the deck recess.
  • Final Touches: Add finishing coats of epoxy and varnish. Use Glex epoxy with added graphite dust for the final installation of the rubber hatch ring to achieve a clean, black aesthetic. Finally, seal the compass screws with a marine sealant like 5200.
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