Door latches fall off

Sep 21, 2014
28
Hunter 426 Southport, NC
I am going to assume that others have the same problem I have on my "new to me" 2003 Hunter 426 with the door latches not staying on the doors to the cabins and the heads. I assume this since the design appears lacking and I have several doors with the same problem. You can't seem to tighten them enough to stay put as the have aged.

Assuming I am correct have any of you come up with a solution to this shortcoming?

Bob
2003 Hunter 426
Waters Conquered: Yeocomico River, Potomac, Chesapeake Bay, Elizabeth River, Alligator River, Albemarle Sound, Pamlico Sound, Pamlico River, ICW MM0 through MM182
 

Mikem

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Dec 20, 2009
823
Hunter 466 Bremerton
Bob, I have a 2003 466 so I assume you have the same door latches I do. A silver handle that is fixed by a single set screw. I periodically tighten the set screw with an Allen wrench. They don't stay tight forever on their own.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Jul 21, 2013
333
Searching for 1st sailing boat 27-28, 34-36 Channel Islands, Marina Del Rey
Perhaps a dab of loc-tight?
 

rlamb

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May 21, 2013
66
Hunter 46 Alameda
I have this same problem on my 2004 466. I have taken one of the handles and SLIGHLY drilled the hole that the set screw goes into a hair deeper. I am hoping this solves the problem but certainly a periodic re-tighten will be required. I am concerned on using loctite as worry I wont get it out if needed.
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
I have this same problem on my 2004 466. I have taken one of the handles and SLIGHLY drilled the hole that the set screw goes into a hair deeper. I am hoping this solves the problem but certainly a periodic re-tighten will be required. I am concerned on using loctite as worry I wont get it out if needed.
use the blue not the red loctite
 
Mar 3, 2003
710
Hunter 356 Grand Rivers
I have a 2003 Hunter 356. I have drill a deeper set into the spline and also used locktite. Just consider it normal maintenance. After doing the abov, I only tighten about once a year and we use the boat extensively.
 
Oct 29, 2005
2,362
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
That falling off handle got me worried once. While sailing, i went to use the head. When done i couldn't open the door 'cos handle falls off! Now i drilled the indent for the set screw and use loctite.