Companion way sliding hatch cover

[Jim]

I have a 1984 H31. My problem lies in a companionway sliding hatch that expands when it is in the sun and in the closed position. It expands enough that it is difficult to open. I lay a white bath towel on it, and this is enough to make it open easily. Has anyone else out there had this problem? As I see it, the only solution is to pull off the sea hood and reduce the width of the plexiglass hatch.

 

[Don Alexander]

Me Too

Same problem on my 376 - but only after I loaded up the rigging to proper sailing forestay tension. Seems the boat flexes a bit! I guess this is to be expected as Hunter make & fit hatches with the mast off the boat. They make them using numerical controlled machines so the fit is perfect.I do not suggest that you slack your rig off so the only cure will be to get the hatch out and reduce it a bit. Shaving the Plexiglass is easily done using an old hacksaw blade with the back edge ground flat as a scraper - the problem is to get the hatch out. For years now I just push the hatch partially open and a couple of minutes later it has cooled enough to open fully.