Hi...I guess I don't know my own strength. The other evening when finishing up for the day, I tried to close the square Lewmar starboard side hatch when the handle broke off into my hand. Horrible sound of breaking glue and plexi-glass, not to mention we can't fully close and lock the hatch. Funny, I though the port side hatch handle would go first, it's much tighter and more difficult to close. Always has been...
So the questions:
- Is this a repairable item?
- Or do I need a new hatch?
I thinking the UVs got to it, and if I'm correct other failures may follow. I've been wanting Sunbrella hatch covers for a few years, now seems like a go time to get that idea done... :-)
Any help would be appreciated. I'm sure this has happened to others, or you know the fix. Thanks in advance. Looking forward to some feedback...Rob
Rob Miani
San Francisco Bay
2006 C36 Mk II
S/V Si Caro
Hull #: 2265
The lewnar web site will have all your repair parts.
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
Hi Randy...I looked over the Lewmar site and though it has a lot to offer, I didn't see anything about repairing a broken handle. I did find a few good documents, which I downloaded. One shows the handle, but clearly states the part that is attached to the acrylic glass does not come with the handle. To add to this, I didn't see where you can actually buy the glass with the handle attached. I'll have to call Lewmar. Thanks for your help...Rob
Rob Miani
San Francisco Bay
2006 C36 Mk II
S/V Si Caro
Hull #: 2265
Rob,
Looking at your photo, that handle had already been broken off. There appears to be remnants of some type of glue on the edges. If you talk to Lewmar, they will tell you it cannot be repaired with any type of glue. (I agree, I tried a bunch of them). It was installed at their factory in a high-heat ?oven?, which cannot be duplicated in the field. Select Plastics in CT will tell you the same thing. With their blessings ("I guess you wouldn't be any worse off"), I drilled a hole thru the lens and the center of the handle, and bolted the handle in place, with a bit of Super Glue (just to make me feel better!). I used a flat head machine screw with a finishing washer on the top, and a nut and acorn nut on the bottom. I think I also used a dab of LifeSeal under the finishing washer for water-tightness. Sorry, I don't have a pic of the top, but unless you study the hatch, you really don't notice it's a tiny bit different from the rest. That was about four years ago, and it's still going strong. Hope this helps.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Hi Tom...Thanks for the input and the photo of your repair. I had thought about that type of repair, now I know it will work.
The glue you see if from a repair a handy man on our dock tried the other day. It didn't hold at all. I found the handle on the cabin floor the next day. It fell off without any load.
I'll give your repair a try. If I mess it up, then I'll be buying a new top assembly I suppose. Thanks again, now back to the boat...Rob :-)
Rob Miani
San Francisco Bay
2006 C36 Mk II
S/V Si Caro
Hull #: 2265
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/1829_933/hatch-dog-for-l...
This looks close and there were others?
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Thanks Gary...I didn't even think of looking to Catalina Direct. That looks like a great fix. However, I just completed Tom's fix and it appears to be working well. I'm going sailing tomorrow, so that will be a test.
Except for wasting 45 minutes looking for my favorite hardware store that moved, I made the repair in less than 5 minutes and for $3.42. How fun is that?!?! :-)
I'll definitely keep your solution on file, I think that's the one to have in the long run. Both are excellent solutions and I truly appreciate the help. Thanks again...Rob
Rob Miani
San Francisco Bay
2006 C36 Mk II
S/V Si Caro
Hull #: 2265