[C320-list] cabin top hood

[kspir4 at cox.net]

Ahoy mates,
I recently had a leak in the cabin and located the entry point by spraying water on various outside sections of the cabin top.  It turns out that the source was caused by water entering around the hood that covers the sliding companionway hatch (not an isolated incident according to our great website).  I was going to be out of town for a few weeks so I hired my marina repairmen from the well known marina in Solomons to take the hood off and make the necessary repairs while I was gone.  In doing the work, they said they saw and filled some extra screw holes that were made but not used and filled a channel that was collecting water.  The problem I am now having is that it is extremely hard to move the sliding hatch off of the companionway doors when starting from a fully closed position.  It slides fine when I get it off the doors but to get it off the doors I have to pound it laterally multiple times with the heel of my hand using all of my 200+ pounds.  
Before the work was done, it appeared that there was some type of gasket under the hood (between the hood and the cabin top).  That may have held the hood up higher and, if not replaced, is the cause of the sliding hatch to hang up on the doors.  I cannot tell if the gasket is there since the marina then put caulking around the hood (obscuring the area where the gasket is/was).
I have asked the marina supervisor to investigate but, in the meantime, I thought I'd present two questions to my fellow 320ers:
1.  Can anyone verify that there was a gasket type material between the hood and the cabin top and, if so, does anyone know where to get a replacement?
2.  Did the marina commit a faux pas by putting caulking around the hood?  I figure if Catalina didn't have it there originally, it shouldn't be needed and will hinder future access. 
Clearly, I am relearning the adage that "If you want something done right, do it yourself".
Thanks,
Ken
MoonDancer
2006  #1089