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Hatch(s)
- Thread starter PeteLam
- Start date
abcandjrc
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2010
- Messages
- 363
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C SE
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2160D707
- Vessel Name
- Little Lady (2007)
In an earlier post I discussed having to rework my hatches because the fasteners on the hinge side are countersunk so deeply that the flange holds salt water and the screws corroded away resulting in a leak. I fixed that by filling the original holes with chopped fibreglass and resin up to the surface of the flange (Bondo or other fillers like JB Weld might work) then redrilling and countersinking only enough to put the head below the surface.
On one, one hinge pin fell out of place. Fortunately, the hatch did not break when I opened it. The design relies on staking on the pin itself to "grab" the plastic frame and hold the pin in place. It is obviously not 100% effective. I fixed that by pushing the pin back in place and putting gobs of epoxy resin on the ends. Those pins will not move again. If it is ever necessary, I will face that with a Dremel tool in one hand and my wallet in the other. If worse comes to worse, I will replace the hatch then. For now, my 50 cents worth of epoxy seems to be as good.
I also discovered that several of the screws which hold the thinner flange of the hatch in place had been put in so tight that they pulled through the plastic and were holding nothing. Also several were never installed in the first place.
This all says the design of the hatches and the installation at the factory both have some problems. If one has leaks, it may not be the hatch per se, but may be the installation. It would pay all owners to check the fasteners. Better to prevent a leak than to mop it up.
Hint: I discovered 15 minutes too late that I could remove the hatch without removing the interior piece. On our R21-EC, at least, it is strictly a trim item and does not connect to the exterior part.
On one, one hinge pin fell out of place. Fortunately, the hatch did not break when I opened it. The design relies on staking on the pin itself to "grab" the plastic frame and hold the pin in place. It is obviously not 100% effective. I fixed that by pushing the pin back in place and putting gobs of epoxy resin on the ends. Those pins will not move again. If it is ever necessary, I will face that with a Dremel tool in one hand and my wallet in the other. If worse comes to worse, I will replace the hatch then. For now, my 50 cents worth of epoxy seems to be as good.
I also discovered that several of the screws which hold the thinner flange of the hatch in place had been put in so tight that they pulled through the plastic and were holding nothing. Also several were never installed in the first place.
This all says the design of the hatches and the installation at the factory both have some problems. If one has leaks, it may not be the hatch per se, but may be the installation. It would pay all owners to check the fasteners. Better to prevent a leak than to mop it up.
Hint: I discovered 15 minutes too late that I could remove the hatch without removing the interior piece. On our R21-EC, at least, it is strictly a trim item and does not connect to the exterior part.
Capt. Wanabe
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2009
- Messages
- 64
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2721H010
- Non-Fluid Motion Model
- River King
- Vessel Name
- My Precious
I just noticed that I have THREE hatches that are in failure mode. I haven't had a chance to look at this in detail but it appears to be related to the hinge being insufficiently anchored in the plastic frame. This is a new boat (delivery December 2010) so clearly the problem is design related. My plan is to go back down to the boat and take things apart and see what I can fix. Does anyone know if removing the outer frame of the hatch from the boat destroys a replaceable water seal?
Frank
Frank
Spirit of Gratitude
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2009
- Messages
- 334
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-288 C
- Hull Identification Number
- R2924
- Vessel Name
- Spirit of Gratitude
- MMSI Number
- 338105727
We have six hatches on our R-29. We have had our boat since March of 2010 and have 400 hrs on her. We use our boat and open and close the hatches all the time and all hatches are doing great.
Stuart
Stuart
-
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