I see there are a number of threads from a decade or more ago about losing hatch covers. I thought I’d share my recent (June 2025) experience.
My wife and I bought Current Design Prana boats last year. We’ve given away two boats in the last two months, and now have only five kayaks between the two of us. The Pranas have Kajak Sport “click-on” covers. Our experience involves living east of the Cascades, in Wenatchee, and driving over a 4,000 foot pass going to, and returning from, the Puget Sound area.
Our house is at 900 feet, and we generally have much warmer temperatures than the west side of the Cascades. Going from the atmospheric pressure at our home, or sea level, to 4,000 feet, especially on a warm day, is going from high to low pressure conditions. We have a practice of stopping near the top of the pass, driving either way, to burp the hatches. A hassle, but on one drive we found one working its way off on one trip and realized this an essential task.
Last week, diving east my wife was driving and heard a noise. When we stopped at our burp-point, the front hatch cover was gone from my boat, taking the lanyard and inside-hatch attachment. We thought we were taking preventative measures, but the noise was at only 700 feet (around Baring, for those familiar with US 2). We spent about 40 minutes looking for it. Alas…
I learned that even within the Kajak line there are multiple options. I checked with six different kayak shops, including where we purchased, and each would have to order the cover for us. And, the majority gave a disclaimer that they weren’t certain the cover would fit.
I had purchased a cover from TopKayaker, in New Hampshire, in the past for a Wilderness System Tempest after being directed by Pellican to contact them. I don’t get a commission, and I hope an endorsement is okay on Paddling.com. I called, and Tom spent the better part of an hour explaining options, suggesting solutions (e.g., adding hold down straps), and solving a few other kayak problems for me. Their mission is to help people fix their boats, and I was directed towards less expensive but better solutions than I would have selected.
One more thing, I found Reed emergency hatch covers online. I asked Tom if he carries them. The short answer was ‘no,’ but the follow-up is that he carries a US made (so, tarriff-free) set of emergency, neoprene, hatch covers. We have an assortment coming in my order. Once I receive them I may share our thoughts.
We’ve a paddle on the west side next Tuesday, and I’m hoping I get the package via USPS (their preferred shipping) on Monday with my hatch cover(s), straps, screws, etc.