Hatch hinge pin bent; can't remove

[Ilanortho]

Hunter 34 '86
One of the hinge pins was bent by the previous owner; hatch still works but would like to replace it.
This is for one of the smaller metal deck hatches over the head; frame is metal.
Tried to drive pin out with a pin punch; tried to drive the other side out which is not bent and also doesn't budge. Is there a trick to this?
BTW, spent two days working on removing the sea hood. Must have been sealed with 3M 5200. Pray for me! Hopefully tomorrow will finally free it.
Thanks. Ilan

 

[Richard Bryer]

Sure would appreciate it if you would write up your sea hood project in the Modifications section- it is on my project list for next year. Hope tomorrow goes well!

 

[Ilanortho]

Took two of us 3 half days to remove. Was strongly bonded to hull along entire length with strong sealant (3M 5200?) most of which was inaccessible. Along with plenty of filth, there was water in many areas even though the boat has been in heated storage for several weeks. Tried solvent softener which was ineffective. Used a very long piece of thin fairly rigid steel which I hammered under it to break it up, a very long screwdriver crowbar, multiple plastic and metal putty knifes,plastic caulk removal tools (to remove hood to deck caulk and quickly wear out), and must effectively (and most dangerously) two short combination crowbars ( the kind with a question mark end combined with a gently curved flat end) alternating them in sequence down the long length of the hood on each side after prying up each end enough to get them started with a long screwdriver crowbar. The question mark end of the crowbar works best as you can then lever it against the deck easily but gently. Hood is not heavy but is bulky and takes two to move it around. Also removed traveler first which came off relatively easily compared to what others have described. Removed hand rails as well for easier access, but this requires removing the inner headliners on each side to get at retaining nuts. this in turn requires dome light removal!

After all the above, the hood did not crack, but I have a lot of side edge chips to repair on the hood and just a few minor ones on the deck. I also have a lot of sealant to get off the deck. All in all, a really nasty design from a maintenance standpoint. I have to figure out how I'm going to reattach so I can get it off more easily in the future for cleaning and inspection.

 

[Mark48]

Did you try using piano wire to cut through the sealant. I have heard that such an approach works on the stronger bond sealants.

 

[Ilanortho]

Hood is far to wide; also can't pass wire because of three dimensional geometry

 

[Mark48]

I see your point. I was thinking perhaps getting started from one end on one side, but with out being at the boat I can see where the problem would be. Hope I never have the issue.