Hatch replacement

[sailfree20770]

Our Hunter 376 has three Lewmar Coastline hatches forward. Two size 40's and one size 60. I want to replace the lenses, but prices I'm getting indicate new hatches may be a better option.

Lewmar claims the seal between the frame and lens can only be done by professionals with special equipment. A quote I got on that was more than new Low-Profile model Lewmar hatches.

Has anyone replaced Coastline hatches with Low-Profile or Med-Profile? Did they fit the same deck opening?

 

[sailor420]

Contact Select Plastics in Norwalk, Ct.
http://www.hatchmasters.com/
They do good work and should be able to fix you up

 

[Dave Groshong]

The cut-out sizes for the Low Profile hatches are the same as the Coastline, not sure about the fastener holes however.

 

[dewalker]

I replaced all 3 with lewmar medium profiles this past fall. The coastline lens weren't replaceable, the medium profile have a thicker lens (the original coastline 60 is thicker than the low profile), and the new hatches were cheaper than replacement lens (if they had been replaceable). I had the yard do the work and they had no problems. The difference in size was 1/16th".

 

[sailfree20770]

Thanks for confirming that the Low Profile & Med profile will fit the same deck opening!

Checking sizes in a catalog is fine, but knowing someone with the same boat actually did the same replacement is better.

If I can't get a reasonable repair price, I'll probably get the new hatches.

 

[dewalker]

I spoke with the Hatchmaster folks at the Annapolis show, the problem with the Coastline is getting the hinge to separate and release the lens without breaking. They said they don't quote these, just Ocean hatches. The new hatches are designed to allow you to replace lens, plus everything is new!

 

[sailfree20770]

dewalker,

Thanks for the info on replacing your hatches on the 376 with the Med-Profile model. That steered me away from the Low-Profile a bit. I found some good prices for the Low Profiles, but having more difficulty getting a reasonable price on the Med-Profiles.

A well known hatch repair firm gave me a price on the phone for replacing my Coastline lenses, but the price was more than new Low-Profile model Lewmar hatches, a little less than Med-Profile. I decided immediately they weren't an option, and started checking if the new hatches would fit in the same openings.

I'm still considering replacing the lenses on the Coastlines myself or by a local glass co. The Lens material (1/2" thickness) is only about $170 total for all three hatches. I have the hinge pins out of the Coastlines, so I can take them down to a local glass place to get a price on replacing the lenses. They told me it wasn't a big deal. They have all the plastic cutting tools etc. so it may be cost effective... I'll see.

I'm now quite skeptical the seal has to be anything other than Dow Corning 795 sealant. Hunter used that to glue in all the windows on their boats from what I've gathered, as do other boat manufacturers. Not sure why a hatch would be different.

Since I read Lewmar's claim that it had to be professionally done, I've found some posts to the contrary. Example: http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=891817&highlight=replacing the acrylic

 

[dewalker]

It's worth a shot, if it doesn't perform you can replace later. I decided to replace when Hatchmasters declined to quote because they couldn't guarantee the results and reading the posts on this site. Besides, it was time to re-bed one due to a leak which required fiberglass repair to correct a manufacturing defect. I caught a WM 15% off sale which beat Defenders boat show special and I got a hand full of $10 coupons from WM. It was still expensive, but when you factor in my time and I have new heavier and maintainable hatches it worked for me. Plenty of other projects. I have the old coastlines in the garage if you need parts. Good luck and let us know how it goes.