Broken Sliding Companionway Hatch Cover

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Eric

Greetings to a great forum and a great group! I just found this forum yesterday and I got lost in all the super information. I am the proud owner of a '84 cutter that unfortunately, has a broken sliding companionway hatch cover. It has been that way for longer than I would like to admit because I have not been able to find any information on replacing it. Needless to say, the duct tape is getting on my nerves! I am hoping that I will not have to build my own curved template and heat raw material to drape form a new one myself. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! On a related note, am I the only one that hears a loud "screeeeetch" when the hatch is opened? It appears that the fiberglass molding above the hatch is sagging and drags on the top when opened and closed. Is sanding this area back about 3/16 going to weaken it substantially?? Eric of the "Callisto" from Elliott Bay, Seattle
 
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Don Bodemann

I built my own hatch

Eric, I made a sliding hatch out of mahagony and a 1/2 inch thick piece of polycarbonate. I basically took the old hatch apart (screwed together) and copied each piece. I made the vertical doors at the same time and out of the same wood (although the picture makes them look like different stock?) Any questions feel free Don Bodemann
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Take it to a boat shop.

Eric: You should be able to take it to a boat shop and have them reinforce it and re-gelcoat it to look like new. If you want another maintenance item on your boat you can also do like Don and make a new one. Your screeching can be solved by using some McLube or other dry lube on the lid and the track.
 
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chet p

no picture

couldn't open picture. would like to see the results. thanks
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Same problem on the left coast.

Don: We cannot see your picture on the left coast either.
 
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Eric

Thanks Don!

That is fine work! I get tired of opening and storing the slats every time I go aboard. You have a great solution! How is it for privacy?
 
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Jack Betts

Casting a new hatch for h37c

I had the same problem four years ago -- broken plexi hatch and could find no one to repair it. Finally found a fellow in California who was willing to build a form and cast -- or rather baked -- a new one from a flat sheet. it turned out perfectly and has served well. I don't has his name at the moment, but can dig it out of a file next week. It wasn't cheap -- several hundred dollars, as I recall.
 
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Ed Schenck

Jack, several hundred?

You remember that the plexiglass was several hundred dollars? Or was that for a completely finished sliding hatch? My '79 hatch is still OK fortunately. My boat came with a one-piece hatch board with mostly screen. This was in addition to the three-piece hatch boards that I use to secure the boat, the middle board being thick plexiglass. Were these both standard on the H37C? I modified the screen board so that I can slide in a piece of plexiglass. I use this board while on the boat, just one to lift in and out. But I would love to have a set of those $500 doors!
 
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Dave Johndrow

Call Hunter

A few years ago I put my foot through the hatch on my 82' h33. I contacted hunter and they gave me the name of the OEM on the hatch. I called them and they had the template already. They made a new one (less teak trimm) and shipped it. I don't recall the price but it was not cheap. $250.00?? I think. I then stripped all the teak trimm from the old broken one and added to the new.
 
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Eric

Good Responses!

Thanks for all the great input folks! It looks like I will have to make a form and heat-drape one myself. I found a supplier for the material and they will cut to size (with a little math to account for the curve). Hope the wife doesn't mind me stinking up the oven! PEEEEW! Eric Nelson - Seattle
 
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Beav

Jack, can I look?

I built a hatch out of 1/2 inch starboard and teak. It's cheap and it looks good, but I would be afraid to step on it very hard. Jack, If you still got the gouge from that guy in CA I'd be interested having their contact info. Also, would you mind if I came across the Neuse sometime and took a look at your boat?
 
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