[C320-list] Rebedding fwd hatch

[Warren Updike]

Thanks to Rod Boer for the (Fall 2015) Mainsheet article on this project.
His method for pressing out the hatch saved much time.

I rebidded using butyl rubber tape. I think butyl rubber is a better bedding
material than those that harden. Butyl rubber sticks to everything and
doesn’t harden. I don’t like silicone for such purposes.

I did make a major mistake. After removing all the old silicone sealant and
cleaning the hatch and deck with acetone, I dry-fit the hatch to make sure
how the screw holes would line-up and see how much, if any, play there was
in the fit. What I failed to do was notice that the corners didn’t fit as
tightly to the deck as the rest of the hatch frame. Apparently, the deck
curves away more at the corners. As a result, I didn’t have enough butyl
rubber in these areas. Rather than pull up the frame which might have
compromised the good seal, I rolled lengths of rubber into strings and
worked it into the voids with tools. Seems to have done the job.

Also, the frame screws are #10, ½” stubby screws and several would not
tighten in the deck. I was able to replace the loose ones with #12 screws
that would tighten. Were I to do it again, I would drill through the deck
for two, or more, screws at each corner and thru-bolt with machine screws,
washers, and acorn nuts in the v-berth overhead. 

Hopefully, the next owner will deal with any future problems with this
hatch.

 

Warren and Pattie Updike

1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62

Middle River, Chesapeake Bay