companionway hatch squeak

[chris]

I have a 1982 Hunter 27 and every time we open the companionway hatch my wife and I nearly have to jump out of the boat! When sliding the hatch open there is a loud screeching sound (like fingernails on a chalkboard.) This only occurs when opening, not closing. Clearly something is rubbing, but I am unable to determine the problem. Any suggestions?

 

[Ron Vanderveer]

Hatch Squeak

ChrisWe just recently had that exact problem, and when it happened it was very suddenly. I attributed it to our warm summer weather coming on here in Florida.I never did find out what was really happening to cause the noise. But being inherently lazy I didn't really want to dismantle the entire sliding hatch. So, I just covered the thing with a silicone/teflon spray lubricant. That did not immediately fix the squeak, much to my dismay. But after it sat for a week or two the noise disappeared as fast as it showed up. ???Good luck,Ron

 

[Andy]

It must be genetic

Yes, our 82 H27 has "the scream" probably for the final six inches as you push the hatch back all the way. I have sprayed it with no results and like Ron have not want to tackle the removal tactic. However, while working the deck at the end of a sail I kicked it shut and it kept going and was hanging about a foot beyond the campanionway. It slid back in place and the stops worked as before and I have not had a chance to see if it would come out (like a drawer) which should give access to the little people that live, scream, and make dirt up those channels.Andy

 

[Bill18593]

Hatch sliders

Same joyous noise from the hatch of our 25.5.As part of restroring our exterior wood, I removed and refinished the hatch slider teak strips over the weekend. I found a most interresting history of dirt beneath. Rather than add a little local flavor, I chose to clean out the tracks. I removed the hatch cover and cleaned it, cleaned the tracks in the cabin roof.I did not use any kind of lubrication, but the noise level and irritation factor were reduced quite a bit.