A PO did a lousy repair job and my front hatch still leaks in moderate-to-heavy rains (which we get with some frequency). I'm about 95% sure that it's leaking around the frame -- I'm missing the plastic screen holder on the inside, and I peeled away some caulk / silicone on the inside and can see the core around the hatch frame. Water appears to be leaking from above the core, which I'm presuming means it must be a bad seal topside -- though I'm open to other suggestions.
Has anyone rebedded a hatch successfully? What are the key watch-outs? What problems can I expect to encounter? Any tips?
I've found Lewmar's instructions on hath replacement ([url]http://www.lewmar.com/assets/img/dataset/Manual-B1439%20Hatch%20Portligh...) though they seem to be more about retrofitting a hatch to a larger size than merely rebedding a hatch due to leaks.
Some other key questions:
1) Will I need to fill the screw holes before I can reuse them? What's the best way to do this? Should I re-use the screw holes?
2) What's a proper bedding compound? I've had 3M 5200 and 4200 both suggested.
David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA
I just got my hatch for the head redone by hatch masters ,they did a great job.
recommend dow cowing 795,you can order from them on line or get it at Atlas supply in Tacoma,it was 11$ a tube. Do not use 5200 you will not be able to ever get it out use 4200 if you want.I keep my boat at Fair Harbor in Grapeview but hauled out Friday at Swan Town in Oly,were are you at?
Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1
I have done mine twice in ten years. Originally Catalina used butal tape. When i redid mine 5 years ago I used 4200 and it was quite a job removing it. The design of the trough at the hinge side of the hatch is a crappy idea. The water just lays up there and drains out each side. This time I used butal tape again. They use this stuff in construction for metal roofing and it lasts for a long time. When Catalina put the hatch the first time it was used a little sparingly at the time, made sure I used double layers all the way around. You can use the same holes and Catalina actually epoxied the core before installing the hatch.
Good luck. By the way, I removed the hatch using a thin putty knife and a mallet to tap the knife under the frame.
Mark
Mark Middleton
S/V Lunacy
SW Michigan
2002 C36 MK II TR WK M35B
David,
I agree with Bill. Do NOT use 5200. Many have said that the only place 5200 belongs is at the hull/deck joint. Butyl is the best solution. Here's a link that might help:
[URL]http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/rebedding_hardware[/URL]
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Thanks all! I'm leaning more and more towards having this done professionally instead of doing it myself...
David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA
Bringing this back up. I need to rebed my hatch. One suggestion for removing the hatch was a putty knife and mallet. Any other ideas? I can try this, but it is *really* tight and I don't want to damage it. FYI, I already have the butyl tape from MaineSail and I love it. I'll eventually have everything rebedded. This method works great.
Jeff
S/V Wind Ensemble
1987 C-36 Wing Keel
Universal M25XP 23hp
Hull #705
Coastal Alabama
The hatch on our last boat was leaking but I couldn't get it out, was sure it was just being held in by the bedding, there was no way it was coming out without bending something though. I used one of those knives with the long skinny blades that can be extended from the housing (can't think of what you call them) and I went around under the flange outside on deck and then inside the cabin around the frame with it and made sure I cut any bedding that was in there. That was all it took, it lifted right out. Hopefully that's all it is.
Thanks for the suggestion. Ultimately it required the scrapper and mallet approach. Turns out butyl tape is harder to work with over large, narrow areas. At least for this novice. Anyway, got the job done, but I may have messed up the butyl on re-install, because I still have a leak. At least it's in a different place. :-) Should be pretty easy now to loosen the screws and jam more butyl in the gap. If it will stop raining I can get it finished in just a few minutes. Thanks again for the help everyone.
S/V Wind Ensemble
1987 C-36 Wing Keel
Universal M25XP 23hp
Hull #705
Coastal Alabama
Just closing the loop on this. Looks like we are good to go. Butyl tape does the job. Now maybe I can get back to the solar and refrigeration projects. It's about time to go sailing down here!
Jeff
S/V Wind Ensemble
1987 C-36 Wing Keel
Universal M25XP 23hp
Hull #705
Coastal Alabama