I am looking for a molded front hatch for my 22. Mine broke and cant seem to find a replacment and would rather not buy a standard replacement if I can find what is supposed to be on her any help would be greatly appreciated. Chas
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A suggestion
Unless you find a junker on the hard someplace,I doubt that you will find a new one. I had a boat just like yours, Hull # 444 and if I remember correctly, that hatch was pretty simple, just molded plexiglass with some hinges attached. You might be able to take the old one to a shop that works with plastic and let them make a mold from the old one. Yours looks to be in great shape. I loved mine. I have a framed blue print of it on my office wall. Good luck in your search.
Unless you find a junker on the hard someplace,I doubt that you will find a new one. I had a boat just like yours, Hull # 444 and if I remember correctly, that hatch was pretty simple, just molded plexiglass with some hinges attached. You might be able to take the old one to a shop that works with plastic and let them make a mold from the old one. Yours looks to be in great shape. I loved mine. I have a framed blue print of it on my office wall. Good luck in your search.
So far no good..
I tryed that option and they wanted about $900 for a mold plus hatch. Unless I can find a used one like you said it looks like I will have to cut the teak and bolt on a metal framed one. How did you get that blueprint? I would love to have one for my office. Please let me know.
I tryed that option and they wanted about $900 for a mold plus hatch. Unless I can find a used one like you said it looks like I will have to cut the teak and bolt on a metal framed one. How did you get that blueprint? I would love to have one for my office. Please let me know.
M22 Hatch
Just a thought, Chas... Try contacting the folks at Catalina in Florida. They have lot's of info on the older Morgan boats. With their help, I was able to locate the original mfr of the rubrails for our M28! Another guy found the original style water tank for his Morgan. You've got nothing to lose by checking them out. Jim Maroldo Ocean Gate, NJ
Just a thought, Chas... Try contacting the folks at Catalina in Florida. They have lot's of info on the older Morgan boats. With their help, I was able to locate the original mfr of the rubrails for our M28! Another guy found the original style water tank for his Morgan. You've got nothing to lose by checking them out. Jim Maroldo Ocean Gate, NJ
repair
Bet your hatch did like my 22's- Blew back when propped open and cracked across the corner starting at one of the mountimg holes. I repaired mine and its held up now some 20 years. Lightly sand the entire inside of the hatch and the faces of the crack with 220 paper to remove the gloss. Use epoxy resin in the the crack to join the pieces. First tape them into place, turn the hatch upside down and the tape will also keep the epoxy from running out to the outside . Then laminate two layers of fiberglass boatcloth to the entire inside of the hatch, aanother one or two on both sets of holes so it won't cracvk again either places. Take care to work out all the bubbles. When you finish the hatch repair will be practically invisible on deck, and from below it will be a wonderfully translucent 'skylight"from below. Fabric will be damn near invisible-like frosted glass. Since you can't sleep with your head under the hatch anyway, don't really miss the view.
Bet your hatch did like my 22's- Blew back when propped open and cracked across the corner starting at one of the mountimg holes. I repaired mine and its held up now some 20 years. Lightly sand the entire inside of the hatch and the faces of the crack with 220 paper to remove the gloss. Use epoxy resin in the the crack to join the pieces. First tape them into place, turn the hatch upside down and the tape will also keep the epoxy from running out to the outside . Then laminate two layers of fiberglass boatcloth to the entire inside of the hatch, aanother one or two on both sets of holes so it won't cracvk again either places. Take care to work out all the bubbles. When you finish the hatch repair will be practically invisible on deck, and from below it will be a wonderfully translucent 'skylight"from below. Fabric will be damn near invisible-like frosted glass. Since you can't sleep with your head under the hatch anyway, don't really miss the view.
latest update
I called Catalina Florida and they have one in the 30" size but not the smaller 17" that I need. They said the original manufacturer threw the molds out about 20 years ago. Also I only have half of it, the front half of it blew off during trailering. Thanks for all the ideas and please let me know if you have any other ideas.
I called Catalina Florida and they have one in the 30" size but not the smaller 17" that I need. They said the original manufacturer threw the molds out about 20 years ago. Also I only have half of it, the front half of it blew off during trailering. Thanks for all the ideas and please let me know if you have any other ideas.
Making a hatch
OK round 2. Make a "dam" across the broken margin of the hatch using say plywood and modeling clay. Wax hatch inside, spray PAM release amd fill with plaster of paris. Do this twice. Use hacksaw blade and trim halves to make a whole plug. Use spackling compound to fair out crack. Mount to a plywood base and fir in bottom edges. Wrap with knit cloth. Purchase 3/8 smoked acrylic sheet and cut more than big enough. Place on top of mold and put in hot oven and this will droop and drape over mold. Stand aside to cool then cut edge oversize and sand to fair. Serves one. Or take your mold to plexiglass fabricator and let them drape or vacuum mold you the part. The mold time is what is most expensive for a one off part and you'll have done the hard part for yourself.
OK round 2. Make a "dam" across the broken margin of the hatch using say plywood and modeling clay. Wax hatch inside, spray PAM release amd fill with plaster of paris. Do this twice. Use hacksaw blade and trim halves to make a whole plug. Use spackling compound to fair out crack. Mount to a plywood base and fir in bottom edges. Wrap with knit cloth. Purchase 3/8 smoked acrylic sheet and cut more than big enough. Place on top of mold and put in hot oven and this will droop and drape over mold. Stand aside to cool then cut edge oversize and sand to fair. Serves one. Or take your mold to plexiglass fabricator and let them drape or vacuum mold you the part. The mold time is what is most expensive for a one off part and you'll have done the hard part for yourself.
Awesome!!
Thanks for the info I had thought of making a mold but didnt know how. Now I have a jumping off point. Thanks again.
Thanks for the info I had thought of making a mold but didnt know how. Now I have a jumping off point. Thanks again.
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