Cockpit Hatch

C

chris brown

.
Mar 6, 2012
53
Hi All,



I am just finishing an engine install and one issue I have is the removable
cockpit sole. I can probably figure out how to deal with both these issues,
but I thought someone probably already solved the problems so why reinvent a
solution.



!. Are the cockpit bolts threaded into the fiberglass or are there metal
inserts. I can't tell really. I have a couple bolts that don't seem to
tighten too snuggly. If they are into the glass I can just fill, drill, and
tap. If there are metal inserts, well I would have to think about how to fix
that one.



2. When I removed the fiberglass cockpit sole I noticed that there was a
filler around the edge of the sole that the gasket seales against. The
filler on my boat is missing some large chunks in several spots and also has
several cracks. I was wondering if the best fix would be just to fill and
grind flush - or is there a better solution. Also, since I am messing with
it, when those of you who stiffened the sole did that, how did you do it? I
can see several ways to go about it, but again why reinvent something that
works.



Thanks,



Chris
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
 
V

vegatern

.
Oct 2, 2005
465
HI Chris
Take a look at message 2488. I used Walt's method to refasten
the sole and it worked great. I modified it a bit by glassing in a
wood strip to give the "T" nuts a place to bite, and then glassing
over the "T" nuts with cloth, from the bottom, so they couldn't drop
out. I too, had to rebuild the lip in places, particularly at the
corners, with resin and a high density filler. The weatherstrip was
degraded and I replaced it using strips cut from an ensolite (closed
cell) foam backpacking mattress and glued down with an adhesive used
in weather stripping auto glass. Craig Tern #1519
 
P

pjacobs55

.
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Hi Chris,
I re-did my cockpit sole fasteners using "Well Nuts".
Take a look at
for a good description. They are available over the internet and at
most places that specialize in fasteners.

After filling and smoothing the cockpit sealing surface, using
thickened epoxy, I drilled out the holes in the cockpit large enough
(9/16") to fit the Well Nut that uses a 1/4"-20 machine screw, popped
in the nuts, put a neopreme seal around the flange (from Home Depot),
cut out small recesses in the neopreme to go around the rubber on the
top of the Well Nut, and bolted her down. I put no seal on the lid,
just on the cockpit floor flange.

The neopreme head of the Well Nut allows the seal to work better, and
be free of vibration from the engine.

It's stood me well for two years, and still looks good.

Hope this helps,
Peter.
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
P

pjacobs55

.
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Chris, slight correction to the previous message: I enlarged the
cockpit floor holes to 1/2", not 9/16". Anyway, check the specs for
the Well Nut you get.

Peter.
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi Chris

I provide fittings for the cockpit sole fittings. Work a treat. Complete set with stainless machine thread countersunk bolts.

Drop me an email off group. steve@...

Cheers

Steve B
 
T

txsailcouple

.
Sep 9, 2006
45
Previous owners had made a mess of this area on my boat and there were even some plastic wall inserts used to repair the holes!! Yuk! My solution was to get two strips of aluminum 1/4 inch thick, 1 inch wide and the length of the hatch and attach them to the underside of the edge on the two longer sides of the hatch. I held them in place with counter sunk screws between the existing holes. Once the strips were in place I placed the hatch cover on top and carefully drilled and tapped the strips where needed. You can use any size and thread you like. I think I used 1/4 x 20.
I also replaced the seal on the underside of the cover with a 5/8 or 3/4 inch round foam glued in place with marine sealer. I had to use longer screws to accomodate the new seal but I've found the added stability of this method was well worth the effort.
John
Southern Comfort Too
 
P

papasbackhoeinc

.
May 1, 2007
127
Dear Steve,

I have a Vega in Texas that needs lots of parts. How do I find out what you have for sale. Is this a business for you? Thanks Andi

Steve Birch steve@... wrote:
Hi Chris

I provide fittings for the cockpit sole fittings. Work a treat. Complete set with stainless machine thread countersunk bolts.

Drop me an email off group. steve@...

Cheers

Steve B

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