[C320-list] Sliding companionway hatch

[Jack Brennan]

Hi David:

Thanks for the response. I hope Mark is right. I definitely don't want to uninstall the traveler. I'll be checking Mark's tip tomorrow.

The good news on the other hatches is that Catalina Direct sells replacement lenses. Not cheap, but also not that difficult to do. I would replace rather the rebed the old one. These lenses don't last forever in the UV.

Use a scraper to take the old ones off and clean the frame with rubbing alcohol. I used Sikaflex 795 for bonding the lenses. Tape the frame. And, if remember correctly, you leave the peelable paper on the lens until you apply the 795, then peel it off carefully while the sealant is still sticky. Soaking the paper in the center allows you to start there.

If memory serves, you want to stay away from acetone and similar solvents with acrylic. I seem to remember a warning that they can cause damage.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.


________________________________
From: David Dines
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 6:02 PM
To: mseyler at cox.net; jackbrennan333 at outlook.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Sliding companionway hatch

Hi Jack and Mark,

I am a member of the C-320 group and get the emails, but none of my responses show up in the feed - thus my direct email.

I replaced my sliding hatch last winter and it was a major chore because I could not find a way to remove the hatch without removing the hood. In order to remove the hood I had to remove the traveller, which was installed with large stainless bolts. The problem was that galvanic corrosion essentially fused the bolts to the bar. I was trying to avoid drilling them out, I was able to remove 2 of them with a mechanics impact gun with an extra large slotted and a #4 phillips. I drilled the other 2 and used a long punch to get them out.  All in all, it took weeks and it almost did not get finished for the season.

 Anyway, I am very interested in how Mark was able to remove the slider without removing the hood. So please let me know what I missed!

I was fortunate to find a local glass place that fabricated it for me so I did not have to do any large cuts, but I did drill holes for the wood pieces (1 edge and 1 stop for the aft, and 1 stop for the forward section).  I did not ask the shop to duplicate the grooves since they seemed unnecessary. I did not have scallops to duplicate.

I am very happy with the result as the previous piece of plexiglass was constantly developing new cracks. FYI, my mid hatch cracked and is now leaking, and the front hatch needs rebedding.

Feel free to call, text or email if you want to compare more notes. 978-387-5841

David Dines
“Teal Heron”
94 C320 #144
Beverly, MA



On Oct 22, 2024, at 5:40 PM, Mark Seyler via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

I replaced my companionway hatch cover for the same reason 2 years ago.  I
was able to talk the yard into ordering a sheet of 1/2 inch smoked acrylic,
and selling me half.  My recollection is that I was able to cut it with a
fine tooth blade on a circular saw.  (Jigsaws have a tendency to melt the
plastic unless you cut slowly and let the blade cool from time to time.)

My original companionway cover had two grooves running fore and aft on the
underside, about an inch and a half in from each side of the cover.  I
didn't have a way to duplicate them, but I haven't noticed any problems from
not having those grooves.  The original also had two scallops cut into the
front edge of the cover.  I didn't duplicate those, but haven't noticed any
problems from that either.

I didn't need to take off the sea hood to get the old hatch cover out.  I
believe I had to remove the teak rails on either side of the companionway to
slide the cover aft and out from under the sea hood.  I re-used the original
end piece on the edge of the cover facing the cockpit, and the wooden bar
that enables you to slide the cover from inside.  I used the old cover as a
template to locate the screw holes for those pieces.

It wasn't a bad DIY job, although the material was expensive as heck.  Good
luck with it.

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA



-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Jack
Brennan via C320-list
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 3:26 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Cc: Jack Brennan <jackbrennan333 at outlook.com>
Subject: [C320-list] Sliding companionway hatch

Has anyone replaced their plexiglass sliding companionway hatch? Mine has a
crack in it, and Catalina has not responded to my requests for making a
replacement.

My initial measurements have it at 36 and 3/8 inches wide and 29.5 inches
front to back in 1/2 inch smoked acrylic, although this was done without
unscrewing the hood that it slides under. Before I start taking it apart, I
thought I would ask whether anyone had done the measurements.

Currently, I'm trying to talk a local shop into ordering the piece for me
from a fabricator. Half-inch acrylic apparently is too thick for the locals
to handle. Anyone have a different recommendation?

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.