When I purchased my Hunter 27 (1979) last fall, the first thing I noticed besides all the empty beer cans, old used condoms and the previous owners forgotten stash was the leak at the forward hatch. I am assuming the leak is coming from where the lexan meets the aluminum frame? Or would it be from a bad seal between the hatch and the top side? What would you guys suggest to do? Those of you who have had this problem, is there a way to fix this? I noticed that one person last fall on the message board replaced their hatch with a new replacement. I do not want to go that far if I can simply repair mine. During a close inspection, I found that the lexan is quite thin surprisingly. For such a beefy boat, I was surprised that the lexan (or could it simply be plexy?) is only about 1/4 inch thick. I can actually push on it and it will flex. Is it possible that some one replaced the lexan or plexy with some cheaper alternative? Marina (Plastic surgery or not?)
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Warren Renninger
Reseat the entire hatch
If you don't see water leaking around the frame to plastic joint and don't see water leaking around the gasket joint, then remove the whole assembly and reseat it. Use 4200 or similar, don't use 5200 since you may need to remove it later. Most of my leaks on my 1980 H27 required removing the offending parts, cleaning the seating areas and a good bead of sealing compound. Just adding compound doesn't work. Good luck
If you don't see water leaking around the frame to plastic joint and don't see water leaking around the gasket joint, then remove the whole assembly and reseat it. Use 4200 or similar, don't use 5200 since you may need to remove it later. Most of my leaks on my 1980 H27 required removing the offending parts, cleaning the seating areas and a good bead of sealing compound. Just adding compound doesn't work. Good luck
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Marina
I timed the drips
Thanx Warren! I will hop on this Saturday. This will give me something to do that will make some serious improvements. It is a real drag to lay in the V birth with water dripping on your head every 5 and 1/2 seconds.....Trust me! I timed the drips! Marina
Thanx Warren! I will hop on this Saturday. This will give me something to do that will make some serious improvements. It is a real drag to lay in the V birth with water dripping on your head every 5 and 1/2 seconds.....Trust me! I timed the drips! Marina
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Don Alexander
Water Torture!
Marina, It might just be the sealing rubber round the opening. There is a simple test for this. Take a 1" wide strip of writing/printer paper, open the hatch and close it again with the paper strip across the seal. When the hatch is locked closed try to move the paper. If it is gripped you have a seal. If it slides freely you have a leak. It is necessary to try this all round the seal as the water can be coming in at a higher point and trickling down to a lower one. If the paper is not gripped then a new sealing rubber should cure it. Alternatively the hatch frame might be warped, but most haches are slightly flexible and the latches should pull them into a proper seal. If yours passes this test then the other advice in this thread seems sound. Regards.
Marina, It might just be the sealing rubber round the opening. There is a simple test for this. Take a 1" wide strip of writing/printer paper, open the hatch and close it again with the paper strip across the seal. When the hatch is locked closed try to move the paper. If it is gripped you have a seal. If it slides freely you have a leak. It is necessary to try this all round the seal as the water can be coming in at a higher point and trickling down to a lower one. If the paper is not gripped then a new sealing rubber should cure it. Alternatively the hatch frame might be warped, but most haches are slightly flexible and the latches should pull them into a proper seal. If yours passes this test then the other advice in this thread seems sound. Regards.
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Marina
Don, I have not gasket!
Don, I went to try your test technique. Right off, I realized why my hatch is leaking. there is no rubber gasket at all! What should I do now? Should I purchase a gasket from Hunter. If so, where can I find it? Or should I make one from window gasket material I can find at the hardware store? Marina
Don, I went to try your test technique. Right off, I realized why my hatch is leaking. there is no rubber gasket at all! What should I do now? Should I purchase a gasket from Hunter. If so, where can I find it? Or should I make one from window gasket material I can find at the hardware store? Marina
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Terry
Marina, WM and other similar outlets carry...
hatch gasket material for the marine environment. It is self adhering and you cut the amount you need to fit. Pretty easy to install, just make sure the gasket groove is clean. Works great, so I'm told. Terry
hatch gasket material for the marine environment. It is self adhering and you cut the amount you need to fit. Pretty easy to install, just make sure the gasket groove is clean. Works great, so I'm told. Terry
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Marina
Hatch Gasket Material
I think I know where I can get some of this stuff. There is a hardware store in my area called Lancaster Sales. They cary all sorts of stuff no one else carries. They even have G.I. stuff and strange tools hardley no one needs except in unusual situations. Marina
I think I know where I can get some of this stuff. There is a hardware store in my area called Lancaster Sales. They cary all sorts of stuff no one else carries. They even have G.I. stuff and strange tools hardley no one needs except in unusual situations. Marina
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Terry
Marina, I would urge you to use marine grade...
materials designed specifically for hatches. Terry
materials designed specifically for hatches. Terry
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Marina
Hatch supports slip and do not stay in place
Hi Terry, I went out to my boat again to find there actually is a gasket. It is like a tube type material on the mount portion of the hatch...(not the upper portion). Some of it is smooshed down in the forward most section. Maybe it is leaking there. Now that I see what type of material there was, you are right. I will use marine supplied gasket for hatches. However, I believe the leak is coming more from the lexan area itself. It seems to be coming in right there where the lexan meets the frame. Also, there are 2 hatch supports on either side of the hatch. I noticed that neither of them really work. If I tighten them down completely, I noticed they slip. Is there a cure for this? Marina
Hi Terry, I went out to my boat again to find there actually is a gasket. It is like a tube type material on the mount portion of the hatch...(not the upper portion). Some of it is smooshed down in the forward most section. Maybe it is leaking there. Now that I see what type of material there was, you are right. I will use marine supplied gasket for hatches. However, I believe the leak is coming more from the lexan area itself. It seems to be coming in right there where the lexan meets the frame. Also, there are 2 hatch supports on either side of the hatch. I noticed that neither of them really work. If I tighten them down completely, I noticed they slip. Is there a cure for this? Marina
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Terry
Hi Marina, short of replacing them I'm not sure...
I would start out visiting a marine exchange store in your area that carries used marine gear. If no luck there Hunter can tell you the hatch source for new parts. Terry
I would start out visiting a marine exchange store in your area that carries used marine gear. If no luck there Hunter can tell you the hatch source for new parts. Terry
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David Foster
New Hatch?
Once I realixed that the fasteners were worn out, I bit the bullet, and replaced the hatch with a Bomar 2092 from Pompanette.com. The method is described on our model site. David Lady Lillie
Once I realixed that the fasteners were worn out, I bit the bullet, and replaced the hatch with a Bomar 2092 from Pompanette.com. The method is described on our model site. David Lady Lillie
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Marina
David and Terry
Hi David and Terry. Terry, Maybe I will try Minneys in California! They are great! Everything cost half the price that it would at any normal marine supply store. Shoot, I just purchased a set of number 7 single speed winches from him for a total of 50 bucks! I will call to see if he has hatch, hasp, hatch support parts. David, Oh Man! I sure don't want to think about buying a new one! That goes against my nature. (If you need something, make it, fix it...or if all else fails, steal it.) Hehehe I might buy a new one. But I am going to look into this old one first. And I definitely want thicker Lexan. If I can not have thick Lexan, than I want a new hatch. Marina
Hi David and Terry. Terry, Maybe I will try Minneys in California! They are great! Everything cost half the price that it would at any normal marine supply store. Shoot, I just purchased a set of number 7 single speed winches from him for a total of 50 bucks! I will call to see if he has hatch, hasp, hatch support parts. David, Oh Man! I sure don't want to think about buying a new one! That goes against my nature. (If you need something, make it, fix it...or if all else fails, steal it.) Hehehe I might buy a new one. But I am going to look into this old one first. And I definitely want thicker Lexan. If I can not have thick Lexan, than I want a new hatch. Marina
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David Foster
Thicker Lexan
I've read somewhere about replacing the lexan. It was either here or in good old boat. Wherever, I remember it was a simple process with most of the emphasis on selecting the replacement material, and getting it the right size to fit. So I encourage you to give it a try. David Lady Lillie
I've read somewhere about replacing the lexan. It was either here or in good old boat. Wherever, I remember it was a simple process with most of the emphasis on selecting the replacement material, and getting it the right size to fit. So I encourage you to give it a try. David Lady Lillie
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Marina
G! That's Great! I know just the place!
G! That's Great! I know a place that will sell me a small bit of lexan just for the job! I bet all I really have to do is take the frame apart and seal it. I will take pictures along the way and post them for all to see. Marina
G! That's Great! I know a place that will sell me a small bit of lexan just for the job! I bet all I really have to do is take the frame apart and seal it. I will take pictures along the way and post them for all to see. Marina
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Debra B
cracked Lexan
My Hunter37 had a leak in the forward cabin - the lexan was cracked. Bought a new piece cut to size at a local plastics supply co. and reseated it. Use Life Seal. I didn't the 1st time around and had to reseat it.... New gasket for the hatch can be found at Home Depot - must be closed cell foam - marine grade!
My Hunter37 had a leak in the forward cabin - the lexan was cracked. Bought a new piece cut to size at a local plastics supply co. and reseated it. Use Life Seal. I didn't the 1st time around and had to reseat it.... New gasket for the hatch can be found at Home Depot - must be closed cell foam - marine grade!
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