Companion Hatch Cover

[Gudenuph]

Hi All
Can the sliding companion hatch cover be removed without removing the rails/slides on an O'Day 25? I just hate to disturb nonleaking caulking.
Thanks much, Geohan

 

[PPPPPP42]

Dunno bout the 25, but if its the same as the 22, all that holds it in there is being pinned between the rails, so its impossible for it to come out without one or both of the rails coming off first.

 

[Gudenuph]

Thanks very much for what I was afraid you would say. (grin) Thank goodness it doesn't have to be removed just now and can be scheduled along with the other work.
Thanks again, Geohan

 

[Joe11688]

Hi All
Can the sliding companion hatch cover be removed without removing the rails/slides on an O'Day 25? I just hate to disturb nonleaking caulking.
Thanks much, Geohan

You'll only need to remove just one of those rabbet grooved Teak moldings. I removed my sliding hatch a few years ago. It wasn't that bad of a job. Be careful when removing the bungs so that the bung holes are nice and round for the new bung replacements.

I used to remove the bungs by cutting the head off a small wood screw and putting it into an egg beater type hand drill and carefully using it as a drill bit in the center of the bung.
The bung usually comes right up. I also use a miniature woodcraft chisel to remove the old bung if the egg beater drill method doesn't work.
I learned this method from a book entitled "Boat Carpentry" by Hervey Garrett Smith. It works most of the time.
Joe