[C320-list] Hatch Leak Question

[Pat Ireland]

I agree with Jeff's recommendation.

We used the Bomar foam tape after finding storm water on the sole.  My
skills are not up to Jeff's, so it took about 2 hours to remove, clean the
putty, install the foam, and reseat the hatch.

The deck is configured - hatch, seal, external skin, wood core, internal
liner, internal hatch facia.

If the leak is long term, some degradation of the core may be evident.  Ours
was minimal so we dried it out and left it alone.

Local chandlery did not have the Bomar foam so we ordered it from Defender.
Shipping was a bit, ($20)because we wanted it now.  Prior planning will save
you some coin.

Pat, 801

On Wed, May 12, 2010 at 1:40 PM, Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I see you've gotten lots of good advice here.
>
> The hatches are bedded using a putty, not caulking at the factory.
>
> Removing the hatch involves just removing the handfull of frame screws and
> lifting off the hatch.
>
> Cleaning off the putty takes about 10 min or so.
>
> Applying the Bomar foam tatch tape takes about 5 min.
>
> Then drop the hatch back in place and screw it down.  Trim off any excess
> tape with a raazor blade.
>
> The hatch frame will be drip free for longer than you're likely to own the
> boat.
>
> I redid my forward hatch in an hour and it's never leaked again.
>
> Don't use 5200 or polysulfide. They're not used for these applications
> anymore.  Use the foam hatch tape, its too easy and very little mess.
>
> I ordered a 33' roll online for $40 and used about a third of it and gave
> away the rest. Maybe go in with a couple others and split the cost?
>
> Something to consider if you have the rear cabin lewmar hatch.  If you're
> going to rebed the centerline main cabin hatch, consider doing the aft one
> also, and SWAP them. The centerline one gets crazed after several years, and
> the aft cabin hatch is identical and protected from the sun, so it'll be in
> pristine shape.
>
> -Jeff
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Dennis Harris" <dharris02 at suddenlink.net>
> Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 11:14:44
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: [C320-list] Hatch Leak Question
>
>  On my 2000 C320 (#694), I have a small leak at the main cabin Lewmar
> centerline hatch that is below the boom (at forward corner only).  It leaks
> just a little only in extremely hard blowing rain or when hit with the hose
> pressure in washing the boat.  In normal rains, there is no evidence of a
> leak.
>
> At this location, when the hatch is removed, what will I find?  From inside
> out, I assume it will be something like this:  inside liner, a void between
> the liner and fiberglass cabin top, lower portion of fiberglass top,
> possibly some sort of filler (wood, foam, no filler at all, just solid
> fiberglass), and top outer portion of cabin top fiberglass.  That's my
> guess, but for those of you who have removed the hatch for some reason,
> what
> is really there?
>
> If wood or foam or other filler between layers of fiberglass is there, did
> you do anything to it before reinstalling the hatch.
>
> Is this a place suited to use the Bomar tape type adheasive?
>
> In removing the hatch to reseal it, how did you break the hatch away from
> the current sealant?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dennis Harris C320 #694
>
>