[C320-list] Rebedding forward trapezoidal hatch

[surprise thompson87.com]

I did this years ago. On the first attempt I used caulk but there was a significant gap between the deck cutout and frame, which led to a lot of dripping caulk and a leaky seal. On the second attempt I purchased “hatch tape” from Bomar. This is a foam tape impregnated with sealant. It worked flawless and I haven’t had further leaks many years later. The original installation used some kind of putty-like tape that had dried out causing the leak after just a few years since the boat was new. I don’t know whether the original was butyl tape or not since I’ve never used butyl tape. 

Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653 (1999)


> On Jun 12, 2023, at 1:16 PM, Christian via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> Mike,
> I did this repair a year ago on my 1994 #138.  Mine was leaking from the
> aft starboard side corner.  It's a simple repair.
> 
> I recommend you remove the entire aluminum hatch frame, and not try to
> separate the bottom aluminum frame from the top at the hinge.  I recommend
> this because Catalina used an aluminum frame, with stainless steel
> fasteners at the hinge, and the fasteners have tapered heads.  Your
> fasteners at the hinge on the two frame joints are likely seized, and
> attempts to remove them could easily strip them requiring a new frame
> purchase (which is still available from CD, but not cheap).
> 
> As Brian mentioned, Butyl tape is an option.  Unfortunately, it wasn't an
> option for me as the holes in the my deck in the fiberglass that holds the
> frame to the deck, some of them had deteriorated/stripped, and unless I
> upped the size of my fasteners to the deck, which would require drilling
> out the aluminum frame, meaning more work, getting enough compression on at
> least one corner of the frame to get a good seal with Butyl tape wasn't an
> option.  I have heard from 2 other C320 owners when I made the repair they
> had similar problems with Butyl tape, still leaked after the job as they
> too couldn't get compression needed to seat the Butyl tape, ultimately
> redid the job with caulk, and never had a leak.
> 
> I used Boater's Life Caulk, and have had no leak since.
> 
> I would recommend buying new stainless fasteners for the job, as your
> current ones likely have sealant on them, and that could prevent a good
> seal.  They are cheap.  You want stainless.
> 
> I would recommend buying a plastic wedge, like an axe chipper wood wedge.
> It will GREATLY assist getting your frame off the deck with no damage to
> the aluminum frame (they dent easily), as they can be stuck to the deck
> pretty good.  I got mine at Home Depot.  Tapped it into a corner of the
> frame with a rubber mallet, then started tapping around the frame until it
> came off.  Took a little effort, not hard.
> 
> I'm not sure if it was factory, or previous owner.  But I had a TON of
> silicon glop around the frame area on both the frame and the the deck.  Was
> a pain to get off, but I got it very clean.  You want a clean surface to do
> the job right.
> 
> I have a couple of pics of the repair at:
> https://www.instagram.com/p/CdnynrKrQNI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
> 
> The good news is, at least for me, in that section I had solid core, no
> wood, so had no core damage.
> 
> Hope this helps, good luck!
> Christian 1994 C320 #138 "Canuck" Monroe Harbor, Chicago, IL
> 
>> On Mon, Jun 12, 2023 at 11:53 AM Mike Mellon via C320-list <
>> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I have a small drip-like leak in the forward trapezoidal hatch,
>> apparently near the port side aft corner, between the deck and the hatch
>> frame.  As far as I can tell, the acrylic lens is not leaking.
>> 
>> I plan to remove the hatch frame from the deck and rebed.  Any comments
>> or suggestions on doing this and the curent best sealant to use to rebed?
>> 
>> Thanks.
>> 
>> Mike Mellon
>> LaVida, 1996, #324
>> 
>> Santa Cruz, CA
>> 
>>