[C320-list] Temporary hatch cover

[Scott Lagerquist]

Troy,
Just to add another technique for removing stubborn hatch screws is to use an electric drill/driver with the clutch set really low.  Then alternate forward and reverse until the screw comes out.  The clutch slips and prevents the screw tip from stripping. I was amazed how well this worked and it eliminates the need for pb blaster for those not wanting chemicals on the hatches or deck. 

I’m not knocking your technique and wanted to share an alternate way of removing seized hatch screws that might help others on the forum.

Cheers,
Scott Lagerquist 
Sea Esta
1994 C320 #39
San Diego CA

 

Sent from my iPad

> On Feb 5, 2019, at 5:27 PM, Troy Dunn <troutwarrior at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> My new hatch lenses are on the way and I was able to 'convince' all the
> appropriate screws to give up their corrosive relationships with the hatch
> hinges.    For all those playing at home, the approach that worked for me
> was soaking with pb blaster, and then getting the most tightly fitting
> driver I could find and using valve grinding compound to provide additional
> grit fill to ensure no cam out or stripping of the screw heads and then
> putting the driver in an impact driver and pulling the trigger.  Worked
> flawlessly on every screw.   Fiddling around with a screwdriver or other
> tool felt like a recipe for stripping the screws.   There is a risk of
> shearing the screws, there are plenty of horror stories out there on the
> forums, so ...your mileage will vary.
> 
> Anyhow, I need to bring the hatches home to the workshop to do this job
> right and comfortably.   The boat isn’t covered and I need to figure out a
> good secure way to cover the hatch holes while I work on the hatch lids.
> I think an approach that should work is to thru bolt a piece of plywood
> that covers the hole to a length of 2x4 on the inside that acts as a toggle
> bolt to hold the plywood down to the hatch rim.   I think a plastic bag
> over the plywood and maybe some sort of temporary sealant around the hatch
> rim would work.  The bag will be open underneath so the bolt can be
> attached to the 2x4 and tightened from inside the boat.   Wondering if
> anyone has a simpler but similarly secure and cheap solution?
> 
> Troy Dunn
> S/V Wonky Dog
> Hull#514