Floor Latches, Hatch Latches & Lift Handles for Boats

What are boat hatch locks?

Floor latches, lift handles or lift pulls are flush mounted fittings, usually installed in a hole drilled in a door or hatch, protruding slightly above the surface of whatever they are installed in. Not only are your hatches or doors kept securely closed, they ensure an even, level surface that is also safe and comfortable to walk on. Most of the hatch latches and floor latches in our range are snap-locking, meaning they lock automatically when closed. Similar to an apartment door, a spring-loaded, wedge-shaped latch bolt engages when the hatch or door is closed. Pulling the outside handle retracts the latch bolt, allowing the hatch or door to open. We also sell lockable floor latches that can be used to secure your hatches, bilge or aft peak.

How do you install boat latches and locks on board?

Most latches are simple to install. If replacing an old boat latch with a new one, you only need to remove the old fittings and screw the new ones into the existing hole or cutout. This also applies to replacing plastic latches with stainless steel ones. If installing from scratch, you must first carefully measure to determine the location of the cutout in relation to the edge of your hatch or door. You can then use a hole saw to saw out the appropriate cutout. If mounting your latch in a fiberglass core - which is the case with many boat hatches and doors - carefully seal the sides of the cutout with epoxy to fully seal the latch.

What materials are boat hatch locks and floor latches made of?

Most boat latches are available in stainless steel, chrome plated brass or polished brass. Both are extremely resistant to corrosion. Stainless steel and brass are significantly more expensive, but they are also more robust. This makes them much more popular than plastic latches with most boat owners and DIY enthusiasts.

You might also be interested in: Other types of latches and catches

Do you want to buy more than just a floor latch? In addition to floor latches or hatch latches, SVB also has other types of boat latch for you to take a look at. In our top category for Locks & Latches we give you an overview of many lock types like Door Locks, Padlocks, Sliding Latches, Floor Latches or Lever Locks.