[C320-list] OK now its personal - Lewmar hatch leaks

[Scott Thompson]

All of my hatches have leaked due to drying out of the bedding used to 
mount the hatches to the deck.  The hatches themselves (that is, the 
seals between the opening part of the hatch and the frame) have NOT 
leaked, but I clean and treat those seals with Armour All regularly. 
Instead my leaks have been from water getting in between the frame and 
the deck.  After several failed attempts to get a good seal by rebedding 
with caulk, I switched to Bomar hatch mounting tape, rebedded all of the 
hatches, and have had no leaks since.

Scott
Surprise, #653 (1999)


Brad Kuether wrote:
> Well as most of you know Maryland and the greater mid Atlantic got HAMMERED with rain this week.  As I had mentioned before I have a leak in the forepeak hatch, and I did make preparations for that by putting down a plastic garbage bag, and a towel and a super absorb shammy over that.  It was damp afterwards but didn't soak the mattress which was my primary concern.  Of particular concern is the fact that ALL THREE OF MY HATCHES LEAKED.    The main salon hatch leaked enough to leave a puddle on the floor boards, and the hatch in the head leaked as well.
> 
> Now this may be that we had SO much rain that the boat might as well have been underwater.  I can accept that. But part of me can't accept that I essentially had a triple failure.
> 
> Has anyone else had issues with the Lewmar hatches?  Does anyone do anything special to the seals (clean them, treat them, whatever).
> 
> I am just out of my mind on what was a completely solid and dry boat earlier this season to all three hatches leaking.
> 
> Any foresight appreciated.  And yes I did find the hinges loose and tighted them.  But that was only on the forepeak.  The others were TIGHT.
> 
> -Brad, Mary, Monica, and Jarod
> "Independence"
> 2004 Catalina 320 Hull 1006
> Middle River, MD   

-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653