Off Center Engine Hatch, thoughts?

[Milhouse]

I have been putting this one off for awhile as I am a bit stumped.

I am looking for opinions on what to do about my Off-Center Engine Hatch. Its only off by about 3/8" but the issue is that if I keep the deck planks the same width that they are on the bow then there is an extra stripe on the starboard side on the "bulkhead" (I'm not sure what you call it, the divider from Cockpit to rear or boat). When I installed the bow planks the foredeck was not quite symmetrical so the port planks are a bit wider which is exacerbating the issue to yield this extra seam on the starboard side.

I was planning on planking the engine hatch (when I make a new one) to match the bow with a king plank etc. Since its not centered it will have the same issue with the stripes skewed to one side.

The transom (which is narrower) has all the planks scaled so there are the same number of planks & seams as the bow.

Options:
1. Leave the planks the same width and have an extra stripe on the starboard side (stripes will line up).
2. Center the planks on the engine hatch, as is, to get even stripes across the hatch and bulkhead (Scale as necessary) and don't worry about them not matching up with the bow stripes
3. Cut out one side of the bulkhead to center it up (seems like a lot of work...) and make a the engine hatch a little bit wider.

The perspective of the pictures makes the widths look sorta wacky...

[Rich Coey]

I vote for #2, unless you stand at the end and sight down the lines you will never see it. it will look fine.

Rich

[kens]

plank to match
you can even lay that right odd plank such that it covers the hatch & bulkhead together, then later cut out the opening for hatch to open.
that way all the grain color, grain pattern, grain lines, all line up

[TomB]

One more option...

Add a layer of ply to one side of the engine cover so the top becomes symmetric and then redo the hatch-band so that it is symmetric too hiding the asymmetry underneath.

Tom

[Roberta]

Symmetry is key in a boat's aesthetic appearance.

Roberta

[mrintense]

One more option...

Add a layer of ply to one side of the engine cover so the top becomes symmetric and then redo the hatch-band so that it is symmetric too hiding the asymmetry underneath.

Tom

This seems like a good option to me.

[Milhouse]

Thanks for the advice so far. I took some more pics today so you can see what might be involved.

Add a layer of ply to one side of the engine cover so the top becomes symmetric and then redo the hatch-band so that it is symmetric too hiding the asymmetry underneath.

Tom I think this is another way of saying option 3 because I would need to cut the starboard bulkhead to make the hatch wider.

Measuring from the center line:
The starboard side hatch opening starts at 14 7/8"
The port side hatch opening starts at 15 1/4"
Delta of 3/8"

[TomB]

Jim,

I was imagining adding 3/8 to the side of the engine house. Seeing the photo, it would be notched so as not to go between the bulkheads but would require new cover strips. Not sure how the house is attached, if hinged - never mind.

Tom

[TomB]

Jim,

Just took another look at your restoration thread. As another option, could you subtract 3/8 from one side of the cover, ie, move the side wall in 3/8 and add a cheek piece between the bulkheads to keep it tight?

Tom