Cockpit Hatch Cover

[John]

I've taken the cockpit hatch cover off for some long needed repairs.
1. The flat weather stripping has been wandering all over the place,
mostly out around the edges.
2. The screws holding the cover down were pretty loose and only
screwed into plastic wall anchors.
3. The material around the inside edge of the cover has been crackng
and a few sections are missing. This material seems similar to auto
body puddy. Am I right?
Looking for opinions on the following ideas:
I'm considering whether to take all the edge material off and
reapplying it or just repairing the missing areas. What material
would be best to use?
I'm also thinking about putting a half round groove in this material
and using round closed cell weather stripping instead of the flat
stuff. It makes sense to me that a groove would hold the material in
place better.
Last but not least I'll be replacing the plastic wall screw anchors
with some sort of screw inserts. I'll be checking the local marine
stores for advice but does anyone have any particular type that
works well for them? What was the original configuration? I'm sure
that it wasn't the plastic wall anchor type!!!
Good sailing to all!!
John & Carol
Southern Comfort Too
V2931

 

[wxt8981]

Hi John;

I tell you what I did about 10 years ago (though I'm not
sure it's the same thing you like to do).

I replaced the cockpit floor, made a new one with tongue
and groove cedar wood and fiberglassed over. I fastened a 1
by 1/4 inch aluminum bar on both sides from below, used
countersunk machine bolts and screws (so the above surface
was flat). Half between those bolts I cut (I think they are
1/4 inch bolts) threats into the bars so I could fasten the
new floor from above. It has worked fine ever since. Just
make sure you measure the holes in the floor correctly.
I also replaced the 3 hatch covers, same wood, fiberglass,
and fastened them with new stainless piano hinches. Total
cost... about 50 bucks.

Wilhelm, V-257

 

[vega_2290]

Hi Wilhelm,
It sounds like an interesting solution. However, I don't
understand where you fastened the aluminum bar. Was it in
the hatch, or in the boat? Don't you need any weather stripping,
and if, where did you put it?

To come back to John's question, does anybody know how the
original fastening was made?

Carl, Vega 2290