Companionway Lexan on H31

[Darren]

I own a H272 and H31, both companionways make this screaching sound (like fingernails on a chalkboard)when I slide them open, have tried WD40, and everything else I can think of yet it still makes mine and everyone elses ears on the dock bleed. Any advise before the marina hangs me from the yardarm?

 

[Bob La Salle]

Spray silicone?

It comes in a spray can. Otherwise, you might try calling Acme Plastics in West Paterson, NJ, they are a huge plastics dealer, including lexan, and ask for advice.

 

[Edmund Shanahan]

Rubbing companionway

On my H40 the sliding hatch made a horrible sound, too. I had to take the bridgedeck off for other leaking reasons, and examined the hatch movement exposed. At the back of the hatch were two blocks of starboard type material screwed to the underside of the lexan. Over the years the lexan had settled to a gentle down curve and the blocks were rubbing against the deck under the bridgedeck. A couple of passes through a jointer to make them thinner, and what a world of difference. It didn't take two hands and all of your weight to open it, and the marinas up and down the river don't know I'm opening the boat up! Hope this helps!