Bomar and Lewmar Hatches on my C320

[chefjekyll]

I want to replace both the forward (Bomar) v-berth hatch (trapezoid shape) and the overhead cabin (Lewmar) hatch on my 1999 C320.
I believe the Bomar hatch is a N1094-10AX...there is a number stamped on the frame 1094 X 06 98. Believe the last 4 numbers are the manufacturing date. Bomar website prices are nearly double what some discount marine websites sell the hatch for, so I could call them, but don't want to buy from them.
I believe the Lewmar hatch is a low-profile size 44, but it could be a size 40...there is less than an inch difference in the sizes.
Does anyone know for certain the proper replacement hatches?
Would you recommend I call Bomar and Lewmar, or should I call Catalina for the info?
Thanks in advance,
Jekyll

 

[Calif. Ted]

The salon hatch in my "02 was a size 44, the "cut-out" was a fraction over 17" I got lucky and found a new one at Minney's surplus for $200. Mine has a polished finish that was only available for a few years. Defender's sometimes has them on sale, check the prices on SBO also and there's a company called Hatchmasters that will rebuild them. They can be a PITA to rebuild as the little tiny screws that hold the frames two pieces together don't want to come out after a couple decades at sea. This website may provide some helpful info also:
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.../hatch-20-316-x-20-316-lewmar-low-profile.cfm

 

[Stu Jackson]

Almost all Catalinas have active owners associations. Like this one: http://catalina320.com/

 

[chefjekyll]

thanks for the replies! I am making some progress and will post the results of my project, including Bomar and Lewmar hatches that were used on my hull#
jekyll

 

[chefjekyll]

Update on the hatch project. The hatches listed above were indeed the correct replacements for my boat. Found the Bomar Nibo trapezoidal v-berth hatch N1094-10AX at Catalina Direct for $646.74 plus $62 shipping (WM listed it for $899 ship to store for free). The top cabin hatch was a Lewmar low-profile size 44, which I did order from West Marine for $414.99, free shipping to the local store. Both of the old hatches were surprisingly easy to remove. Spent about two hours per hatch removing the old hatch and then removing all the old sealant material from the gelcoat.
Then I marked the screw holes for the new hatches. On the Lewmar hatch, all but two screw holes lined up with the old holes already drilled. On the Bomar, only one of the holes on the new hatch lined up with the old holes. Of course, they were soooo close, but just not quite right. So I filled all the old holes with epoxy and waited a day to cure, then drilled new holes for the new hatch.
I used butyl tape that I bought at an RV parts store (gray, not white, but it worked just fine). After installing both new hatches, my cabin top is now leak free. Gotta like it.
Next project: replace the gaskets on all four port lights which leak like a sieve...hopefully a dry cabin in my near future...

 

[Alansails]

Great Job! Nice write up!
Can you advise what you did with your old ones?
I am assuming that your boat is in FLA year round and the sun got to the hatches.
I might be interested in taking the crazing out of the lens. Any thoughts?

 

[chefjekyll]

I still have the old ones. The frames are in great shape. The lens on the square Lewmar is very crazed, but could be replaced easily enough. The lens on the Bomar v-berth hatch has a small crack as well as some crazing. Since it was my first experience with this type of repair, I chose to replace both hatches in total. Also, they both were leaking, and I figured replacing the lenses in both hatches would not fix the leaks...would have to remove and re-bed the hatches anyway. If you are interested in the hatches, I can sell them to you cheap; I was going to go on ebay or craigslist to try to sell them. Yes, they are in Florida.

 

[Alansails]

Thanks for the offer but I was interested in what your project was about and how you did it, how difficult it was and if you had checked out hatchmasters. But from your description you did it the RIGHT way, hence leaking/cracks/crazing. ours has some minor crazing (the one above the salon) but no leaks or cracks.
Nice job!