How to Cut Out a Hatch on a Kayak

The small size of a kayak makes storage space a premium. Opening up the closed sections of a kayak by adding a hatch increases the amount of storage available while you are on the water. Cutting the hole for the hatch allows you to use the cut-out section of hull as the compartment lid. The lid of the hatch keeps stored contents safe in the event of a roll-over.

Things You'll Need

  • Hatch template
  • Carpenter's pencil
  • Razor saw
  • Jigsaw
  • Duct tape
  • 220-grit sandpaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set a hatch template on the bow or stern of the kayak. Align the template with the lines of the kayak. Trace around the outside of the template with a carpenter's pencil. Remove the template from the kayak hull.

    • 2

      Align the tip of a razor saw with the traced template outline. Slide the razor saw across the line until it cuts a 1-inch hole through the kayak hull.

    • 3

      Push the tip of a jigsaw blade--secured in a jigsaw--into the razor saw cut. Apply downward pressure on the jigsaw. Pull the jigsaw trigger and slowly push the jigsaw along the pencil line. Stop cutting when you reach the half-way point of the hatch hole.

    • 4

      Apply a piece of duct tape over the cut line left by the jigsaw. Push firmly on the duct tape to ensure it sticks to both the piece of hull you are removing and the kayak hull.

    • 5

      Continue cutting until you complete the hole. Remove the cut section of hull from inside the kayak.

    • 6

      Run a piece of 220-grit sandpaper around the cut to remove burrs from the cut edge.