Tarpon front hatch?

I was checking out the WS Tarpon series of kayaks the other day in a shop and had a hell of a time getting the rubber front hatch lid installed. I simply hooked half of the cover on and then worked the rest of the cover over the lip … not really knowing if it was fully sealed.       I thought I might be doing something wrong so I asked the salesperson and he was doing it the same way I was and it took ~ 60 seconds to get it on and this was on dry ground. The lid was dry so maybe it’s easier to install when it’s wet. Are these hatches really that hard to get sealed? I just find it hard to believe that these kayaks are so popular if the front hatch is that hard to put on. This was a big turn off that stopped me from looking at them any further. I thought I should ask here just incase I was missing something.

I have a Tarpon 120 bought new in 2003.  It definately doesn't take me 60 seconds to put the hatch back on.  I've done it on the water, too.  I just slide it on lip and pull the tab side of the hatch.

I have lost a lid on transport.  I take it off and store in the kayak when it is on my rack.

Kevin

I don't think you're missing anything.  My first boat (pre-kayak fishing) was a Tarpon 16'.  I bought it because I wanted a fast SOT to keep up with Pat's fiberglass Necky.  I loved the boat.  The hatches were huge and sealed with conventional hard plastic covers with waterproof 'O'-ring seals secured with nylon straps and buckles.  When I began shopping for a fishing 'yak, I ran to the dealer to demo the Tarpon 14 and found the same hatch problem you described.  It cost them a sale.  My preference is to keep the hatches closed except in cases of absolutely necessity, i.e., something is wrong and I need emergency gear.  I feel it's important that the hatch be capable of closing quickly and easily under any weather and sea conditions I may be caught in.  I didn't get the feeling that the new Tarpon hatch was up to that.  Aside from that, I still think it's a great boat.

I once owned a boat with  a similar hatch and found that "lubricating" the lip of the hatch with the same silicone polish I used to maintain the hull helped quite a bit, but I still kept it closed on the water.

Randy

Yeah, I didn’t give the boat enough of a look-over once I had to fumble with the hatch cover. I was wondering if those hatches could be closed by pressing down in the center like a Tupperware lid if the lid was lubricated with a silicone spray. I guess going to a demo day where the reps from WS are on site or going to a place that really used the Tarpon’s would give us the best way to fit those covers.

So what yak did you decide to go with or are you still looking?

So what yak did you decide to go with or are you still looking?

I'm driving a 'sky' blue Prowler 13.  IMO, the hatch on it isn't optimal, either since it employs a stretch neoprene cover under the hard plastic hatch cover.  The neoprene's a bear to replace, especially on the water, but I figure if it all went south, and I had to get into the hatch, I could just toss the neoprene into the hatch and cover up with the hard plastic 'till I got home.  

Best of luck finding your kayak.  It's really hard to go wrong.  You can buy one, use it for a season and sell it for close to what you paid for it.  Cheap fun, really.

Randy