Vetus Hatches MAGNUS, ALTUS, FGH(F) (PDF)

OWNER'S MANUAL

Fitting, operating and maintaining VETUS MAGNUS, ALTUS and flush FGH(F) hatches: cut-out, fixing, locking handles, friction stays, ventilation position and opening angles.

DocumentVetus Hatches MAGNUS, ALTUS, FGH(F) Installation & User Manual

FormatPDF · 20 pages · 2.1 MB

LanguageEnglish

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Fitting Operation Products

Vetus Hatches MAGNUS, ALTUS, FGH(F) — Installation & User Manual

Before Cutting

Design category or area of use is marked on every hatch. VETUS strongly advises against fitting a MAGNUS AI hatch below deck where (temporary) submersion may occur; below deck, watch the structure – hull deflection compromises watertightness.
The hatch must open outward.
Fit it on a completely flat surface – on a curved surface it will never be watertight; first fill out the curve with a close-fitting wood frame.
Watertightness can only be checked once the hatch is fully built in. Do not adjust the hinges very tight (before or after fitting): this can damage frame and hinges and spoil the seal.
Cut the hole by sawing (polyester, aluminium, wood) or acetylene cutting (steel); remove burrs and smooth the edges. Wear a dust mask and goggles when cutting GRP and ventilate well.
All VETUS hatches have a corner cut-out radius of 43 mm (1 11/16"). Draw the cut-out from the deck frame.
FGH(F) is recessed so the acrylic lies level with the deck: use the recess dimensions in drawing 8 (40 (1 9/16"), 53 (2 3/32"), 35.5 (1 13/32")) and make at least 1 water outlet at the lowest point of the recess.

Fixing

Place the hatch, mark and drill the fixing holes, de-burr (drawing 4). Removing the friction stay mount (Magnus and Altus) lets the hatch open fully during fitting (drawing 3).
Apply enough sealant (drawing 5) and set the hatch on deck.
Magnus: remove the transport screw fixing the hinge to the deck frame and replace it with a positive fixing to the deck (drawing 6 (1)).
GRP: self-tapping panel screws 4.2 mm (#8). Steel: M5 (3/16", Nr. 10) nuts and screws. Tighten evenly until sealant just squeezes out, clean off excess, let it set, then fully tighten.

Handles and Opening

Locking handle: the last 10 degrees of turn lock the hatch; a slider locks the handle (drawing 1: closed and locked / closed not locked / slide open / slide closed). Escape hatch handles must be unlocked when sailing.
Open: turn the handle(s) a quarter turn and push; handles can be opened from outside if unlocked (not FGHF deck hatches).
Magnus friction hinges hold any position. Altus and FGH(F) have telescopic friction stays that can be tightened to hold the hatch – loosen them before opening or closing, or the hatch can be damaged.
FGHF escape hatches open from outside with a winch handle (emergency only; without a winch handle aboard it is not an escape hatch). FGHF deck hatches cannot be opened from outside.
Ventilation: all can be locked in ventilation or fully closed position (drawing 2); with four or more handles use only those opposite the hinge for ventilation.
Magnus has a positive rubber seal: the first closing after fitting may need help from outside, after which the seal sets.

Maintenance and Data

Clean the anodised or powder-coated aluminium 2 to 4 times a year with neutral cleaning agents only – no alkaline, acidic or abrasive agents, also not to remove adhesive from the glass.
After cleaning apply a thin coat of transparent wax; protect the sealing rubbers with talcum powder.
Magnus: re-adjust the hinges with a 10 mm socket if the hatch will not stay open (drawing 7).