Has anyone used the Outland protective hatch covers. Good or bad experience?? My hatches have substantial crazing. Would like to slow down the process. Does crazing usually lead to failure I.e. Cracking and leaking?
—
Bill and Carla Reitz C-36 MK-2 1995 W/K Kind of Blue #1427 Sausalito Ca
Yes, I bought the Outland hatch covers earlier this year and they have worked well. Kept the boat much cooler during the summer.
Ken Akers
1995 C-36 MkII #1378 SR/FK M35A
San Francisco Bay
Hello Ken and thanks. Did you provide measurements including the ones for the cutouts for the hinges and latches. Or were you able to provide the model number for the hatch with Outland taking it from there. Also can anyone out there answer the second question I have asked regarding crazing leading to eventual cracking and leaking. Thanks, Bill.
Bill and Carla Reitz C-36 MK-2 1995 W/K Kind of Blue #1427 Sausalito Ca
Bill,
Yes, I did send them measurements and pictures just to be sure I didn't have a non-standard hatch.
From my measurements they determined that:
The forward trapezoidal hatch is the Lewmar Ocean Series 65,
The two small square ones by the mast are Lewmar Coastline Series LP-10's, and
The square one over the saloon is the Lewmar Coastline Series LP-40.
The guys at Outland were very helpful so give them a shout if you have any questions. They say they've sold quite a few covers for Catalina 36's.
As for crazing, here's a link from Selectplastics.com http://selectplastics.com/?p=132
and some previous threads from this forum:
https://www.catalina36.org/forum/technical-discussion/lewmar-crazed-lenes
https://www.catalina36.org/forum/technical-discussion/lewmar-forward-hat...
(this one mentions Outland covers)
Cheers,
Ken
Ken Akers
1995 C-36 MkII #1378 SR/FK M35A
San Francisco Bay
Wow! I ask for a box lunch and you provide a banquet. Thanks so much. As in the past you are most helpful. Hope to see you on the water. Cheers, Bill
Bill and Carla Reitz C-36 MK-2 1995 W/K Kind of Blue #1427 Sausalito Ca
I have always had Sunbrella hatch covers on our boat. They snap on for easy on/off if needed, add a color accent to boat and a fraction of the cost than those. As an aside, I also have static cling tinted uv protection on inside of large plexi ports, and Sunbrella fabric over plexi main hatch. With this system boat stays cooler but also requires less maintenance on the re varnish side.
Chic Lasser
Past Commodore
Hull 1474
The PO had hatch covers made from Sunbrella. Their design incorporates an internal bungie chord around the perimeter that ensures the covers are "captured" beneath the hatch flanges. Very easy to install/remove. The boat spent 6 years in Tampa and 4 years in New England. No hatch crazing at all.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
Thanks all. However I'm still searching for an answer to one of my original questions. Does crazing lead to cracking and leaking I.e. Ultimate failure of the hatch lens. Or is it just an ongoing cosmetic problem. I've googled and can't find an answer. Crazed over crazing. Thanks, Bill
Bill and Carla Reitz C-36 MK-2 1995 W/K Kind of Blue #1427 Sausalito Ca
Here is a link which may give you more insight. Best I can tell for the most part on our boat it is cosmetic and more or less surface related. Do note the use of chemicals causes a good deal of the crazing issues. What I glean from this is that a hatch under load might fail should it have severe crazing, but the study seems to indicate high loads i.e. in excess of 1000psi would be a problem.
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a212835.pdf
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
Being a former plastics engineer-
Yes crazing does weaken the hatch strength. It does advance over time. Exposure to chemicals - both from cleaning and general environmental fallout is a leading cause of crazing. Crazing will eventually lead to cracking which dramatically weakens plastics. How much crazing is too much? That's a judgment call. If you're commonly sailing with waves pounding on top of the deck- I wouldn't be comfortable with much crazing. If your an average fair weather sailor, a moderate amount would probably be ok.
Call around- there are shops that will replace hatch lenses. When were were looking at C36's in Rhode Island, we viewed a couple of boats with heavy crazing and the brokers claimed they knew of local rebuild resources but never gave us any names.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
Thanks all. After reading thru the link Gary provided I may come out of retirement and become a plastics engineer myself. Very thorough and informative. Bill
Bill and Carla Reitz C-36 MK-2 1995 W/K Kind of Blue #1427 Sausalito Ca