Why would VCP produce Replacement Hatches with Necky Logo? I find this unusual and wonder what materials are being used.
@Sparky961 said:
I replaced a smaller day hatch with the Sea-Lect style a few years back. It’s not bad, and has held up ok - with a little cracking where the flexible rubber-like part meets the hard plastic. It’s been as water tight as anything else I’ve owned. However, I do find that making sure it’s on properly is a bit of a task. Having to smack it in the centre while rotated and having my arm/shoulder flexed behind me is not a great position to be in.If I had to do it over, I may go with the original VCP style. When I replaced my two oval hatches I decided to go genuine VCP because I just really like the way they work, despite sometimes having a short lifespan.
How long does your hatches last?
@PakaRiverman OK, I just checked their site and I see the problem. They list n/a for the lid only option. And the link to their dealer network seems dead. This is not the situation I recall, Time ti figure out what the heck is going on with this company.
I was looking into buying more of these a while back and found several sources for the covers only. Here are a couple:
https://www.duckworksbbs.com/product-p/k746189-parent.htm
Here’s a good article on them:
http://gnarlydognews.blogspot.com/2012/06/gear-sea-lect-designs-hatch-covers.html
If you go here, you can get the part numbers for the covers (“lids”) only, so you can be sure of what you’re ordering:
http://sealectdesigns.com/categories/deck-plates-hatches/hatch-covers-performance
@bnystrom Thanks for the links. I seem to have found a couple as well. But if Sealect itself is not issuing the correct ones as covers only, it makes me concerned about the supply going forward. Methinks I will go out and measure those hatches on the Nordlow this coming week and put in an order somewhere.
@PakaRiverman said:
Why would VCP produce Replacement Hatches with Necky Logo? I find this unusual and wonder what materials are being used.
Valley had an agreement to make the hatches for some Necky products (the Chatham series comes to mind), and in doing so, made versions of the hatches with Necky logos.
@PakaRiverman Kayaksport has made NDSK logo hatches for at least a couple of decades. Someone was making WS hatch covers at some point too, I forget who. This arrangement type is not new.
Celia, Sealect does list the covers separately. If you check them out at http://sealectdesigns.com/categories/deck-plates-hatches you’ll see that although they’re not available in bulk packaging that’s geared toward boat manufacturers, they are available in individual packages for retail display.
@bnystrom n/a shows on this site for VCP hatches, which is what OPer was looking for. Doesn’t discriminate between bulk and not. http://sealectdesigns.com/groups/2002-kayak-hatch-covers-vcp-oval
I received my Sealect day hatch yesterday and took it for a paddle today. It feels like the most well-made hatch I have ever used. As Gnarlydog mentions in his review, it can be closed with a soft push at the centre.
It also “feels” tight. But haven’t really tested that yet.
Celia, I’m not sure what you’re trying to say here, as that page clearly shows both their Performance (K745270-1) and Recreational (K745370-1) hatches as being available as “Lid Only”. They’re in the second column, which is for “Display” packaging. The first column is for “Bulk” packaging and they’re “n/a” in that configuration.
@PakaRiverman said:
How long does your hatches last?
Couldn’t say, really. When I bought the boat the hatches were already deteriorating. I nursed them along for a couple years, then replaced the day hatch with a Sea-Lect cover. Then a few more years and I replaced the oval hatches with VCP. I can’t recall, but they may have been Necky branded. Doesn’t matter to me. I’m pretty sure it’s all the same stuff. That was perhaps 2-3 years now, and they’re still in great shape.
I’m not too concerned. I don’t have a huge fleet to worry about, and I completely acknowledge that this is an expensive hobby. Initially it’s the most expensive, but maintaining and replacing equipment costs money, and going different places to get in the water and paddle would really add up if anyone was foolish enough to keep track.
No, I don’t have some magical ATM that spits unlimited amounts of money at my command. Nor am I destitute. I just try to choose carefully what I spend my hard-earned money on, in a way that it will maximize my experiences and enjoyment thereof.
When I go on a trip, the last thing I want is to have a hatch failure or be constantly dicking around with getting it closed properly. I just want it to work. If it works, it’s money well spent.
@bnystrom Sorry! I had not caught that the Bulk packaging v. Display was dealer v. individual sale. Probably not the only one who would miss that…
Fortunately, my Artisan Millennium’s (Kajaksport) hatches have lasted and are still in good shape after 18 years! And they are tethered inside. Big one in the back is a bitch to put on, but none of them leak at all!
No problem Celia, I figured you probably just missed it. They certainly could make it more obvious.
Pretty much everything Valley hatch covers sucks. I stopped kayaking for about three years and stored my hatch covers inside a closet at room temps, no uv rays. Put them on the kayak today and all three split. At some point folks will realise Valley is garbage and move away. They might last 6 months if you keep them inside, very poor product,
Dan
I agree with the suggestion of going to Sealect for VCP hatch replacements. Tom, the owner of TopKayacker, strongly recommends these and says they will likely be the last replacement hatch covers you will buy. You can find replacement hatch covers on their web site and it you are uncertain just contact Tom for help. Good company, very knowledgeable and responsive.
VCP made the rubber hatch covers with a Necky logo at one time. Same hatch covers. Necky is no longer in business.
Dan Sealects are what I buy now. I order mine, from Marshall at The River Connection. Typically have them, in 2-3 days.
When I needed Sealect covers for a half-dozen boats, I found that TopKayacker had the best prices and great service.