My Beneteau 361 produces a horrible squeak when I push the companionway cover forward. It doesn't do it when I draw it backward. It makes the women in my life cringe and bite their fingernails. Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a solution? I have tried lubricating the rubber seals along side the plexiglass to no avail. Ron Harr
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Hatch squeak
Ron, yep my 361 does it too. And yes it drives my wife nuts
It doesn't always do it but when it does I find if I open it slowly it minimizes it. I think the amount of dirt on the hatch makes a difference. Another 361 owner I know took the hatch off and trimmed the rubber seal which worked. I've avoided doing that for fear it might develop a leak.
Ron, yep my 361 does it too. And yes it drives my wife nuts
It doesn't always do it but when it does I find if I open it slowly it minimizes it. I think the amount of dirt on the hatch makes a difference. Another 361 owner I know took the hatch off and trimmed the rubber seal which worked. I've avoided doing that for fear it might develop a leak.Lube it or loose it
Ron, we had a 361 and we now have a new 2006 473 and we had the same problems on both boats. The seals bends backwards nicely and naturally when you slide the hatch back, but when you pull it forward it's like the seal is bending in an unnatural way and begins to raise the hatch up and makes a sqeaking noise and shutters as it moves. The solution is quite simple. Use McLube or any spray lubricant on the seal under the hatch. I removed my hatch and sprayed the rubber seal and worked the hatch back and forth to insure it was lubricated in both directions. It has worked on both or our boats and the hatch just "glides" back and forth without the noise or chatter. This one spray has lasted over a year and now I just spray once a year or when I think it is pulling a little hard. There is a cheaper spray lubricant sold at ACE hardware store that is equally effective and is used by the grocery stores to lubricate their freezer seals for the same reason. I am not at my boat to look at the can but it is something like CPR or CP? rubber lubricant. Your local hardware store should carry it. Do not cut the rubber seal to eliminate the problem, because as you know the seal is there to prevent water from leaking in. It merely requires lubrication. Rich
Ron, we had a 361 and we now have a new 2006 473 and we had the same problems on both boats. The seals bends backwards nicely and naturally when you slide the hatch back, but when you pull it forward it's like the seal is bending in an unnatural way and begins to raise the hatch up and makes a sqeaking noise and shutters as it moves. The solution is quite simple. Use McLube or any spray lubricant on the seal under the hatch. I removed my hatch and sprayed the rubber seal and worked the hatch back and forth to insure it was lubricated in both directions. It has worked on both or our boats and the hatch just "glides" back and forth without the noise or chatter. This one spray has lasted over a year and now I just spray once a year or when I think it is pulling a little hard. There is a cheaper spray lubricant sold at ACE hardware store that is equally effective and is used by the grocery stores to lubricate their freezer seals for the same reason. I am not at my boat to look at the can but it is something like CPR or CP? rubber lubricant. Your local hardware store should carry it. Do not cut the rubber seal to eliminate the problem, because as you know the seal is there to prevent water from leaking in. It merely requires lubrication. Rich
Removing the hatch
Rich just to clarify, you had to remove the hatch on both boats? I tried applying a lube to the hatch in the vicinity of the seal but without much luck. If that's all it takes then my wife will be a very happy "Constant Advisor". Yes I'll have to deal with the "I told you so" syndrome but it'll be worth it.
Rich just to clarify, you had to remove the hatch on both boats? I tried applying a lube to the hatch in the vicinity of the seal but without much luck. If that's all it takes then my wife will be a very happy "Constant Advisor". Yes I'll have to deal with the "I told you so" syndrome but it'll be worth it.
Lube job
Rich, Thanks for the advice! Now a stupid question....How do I remove the sliding hatch to lubricate the rubber seal? Just remove the "stop blocks" and pull it out? Ron
Rich, Thanks for the advice! Now a stupid question....How do I remove the sliding hatch to lubricate the rubber seal? Just remove the "stop blocks" and pull it out? Ron
Hatch lube
Ron and Mike, Yes, just take out the two screws that are in each block at the aft end of the companion way. The hatch just slides out and the seal is easy to get at. I spray it on then rub it all along the seal with my hand to make sure it is on all of the surfaces of the seal (the front, back, top and inside of the back part of the seal), this area is what causes the friction so make sure you get the inside back of the seal. Apply it generously. I also spray some on the tracks just to make sure. Rich
Ron and Mike, Yes, just take out the two screws that are in each block at the aft end of the companion way. The hatch just slides out and the seal is easy to get at. I spray it on then rub it all along the seal with my hand to make sure it is on all of the surfaces of the seal (the front, back, top and inside of the back part of the seal), this area is what causes the friction so make sure you get the inside back of the seal. Apply it generously. I also spray some on the tracks just to make sure. Rich
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