[C320-list] cabin top hood

[Chris Burti]

On Commitment, #867 the sea hood is clearly calked and we had the identical
problem... so bad that the Admiral couldn't budge the hatch cover.
Since I had replaced the tape on the slide already and it appeared to be in
good shape, I decided to spray SailKote on the tape which completely
resolved the issue and it will now start and slide with the pressure of a
single finger. I really can't explain why it works so well, but the Admiral
is much happier.

CB

Chris Burti
Farmville, NC


On Mon, Aug 1, 2016 at 10:53 AM, <kspir4 at cox.net> wrote:

> 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
>
>