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

[jim brown]

Twice a year I clean all metal surfaces where the gasket sits. If they have some 
film on them I use auto wax to clean and then soap and water. I then use soap 
and water on the gaskets and when dry use Amoral or the like on the gaskets. I 
have "cured" a couple of small leaks this way. Also I'm careful (most of the 
time) to not close the salon hatch or the head hatch without making sure there 
are no lines in the way. My lines run so that the boom vang goes under the salon 
hatch and mainsheet goes under the head hatch. 


Jim Brown




________________________________
From: Brad Kuether <bkuether at comcast.net>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Fri, October 1, 2010 10:41:28 PM
Subject: [C320-list] OK now its personal - Lewmar hatch leaks

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