Hatch Cover leaking

[Jim]

I am new to sailing and a new owner of a 1983 Catalina 30 so be gentle if I use the wrong terms. I noticed that sliding hatch cover in the doorway of the cabin leaks badly. Is there something that can be done to seal these are replace them. I have a dry boat, except when it rains. Anyone have any ideas.Thanks

 

[Pat]

Probably common to this model...

Had an 86 and just couldn't get all the leaks stopped. But make sure you have that strip of wood in place at the bottom of the main hatchway and caulk the ends. Also make sure you have bead of caulk on the top hatch where the wood meets the fiberglass. Finally I had someone make a sunbrella cover for the hatch to use when I closed up the boat. It fastened by 3 snaps on the inside side of the top hatch. It kept the hatchboards protected from the sun too. I modeled it from the main hatch screen I had for the boat. If you don't have one of these you might consider it. Not expensive but useful.

 

[Echo Gulf]

More infoplease,

Jim, We've also got a 83 C30, and find it very dry. I'm not sure if you mean the sliding (top) part of the companionway is leaking or you are referring to the hatch boards that stack one on top of each other (the front door so to speak). If possible, a photo of where you suspect the leak is originating from. With this info I can go to our boat and determine why you leak and we don't.EGPS: You may be new to sailing, but you scored BIG in the boat you chose (IMHO).