Hatch Support Arm

[Peter Roach]

I have a 1983 Hunter 34 with Bomar hatches. The support arm of the hatches seems to be breaking in half. I believe that the reason is the bolt for the support arm is frozen to the arm and the hatch frame (it is molded aluminum). The boat was in salt water and is now in fresh and the hatches are not bonded to the Zincs (I don't quite know how you would go about this without tearing the whole boat apart or running the boding on the outside of the headliner). When the arm breaks and I try to remove the bolt holding either end of the support arm the bolt breaks off at the hatch. I seem to be losing these one at a time. I have tried oiling them with no success. I was wondering if anyone had come up with a replacement for the support arms for these hatches? Right now most of my hatches still have one support arm. I have had to fashion a teak support for one of the small hatches above the bathroom sink. It is not very attractive or functional. Any suggestions would be appreciated. (I have already searched the archive site)

 

[Bill Thiers]

hatch support arms - durndest things

I have the same boat, same question. So far I've resorted to wood struts cut to fit as props. Not pretty, not permanent. Evidently Bowmar has replacement arms, but at exorbitant price ($60 ). If you get an answer, let me know (bgthiers@earthlink.net). I'll do the same.

 

[Steve Dion]

Never heard of this problem until last week.......

when it happened to me. We have one of these hatches over the the settee area. It has a single arm. The boat on the fixed frame piece sheared off inside of the frame. We are in the process of fixing it. Used a drill and an ez-out be not much luck (stainless steel in cast alum. We are going to work on it again this weekend. If we cannot get the bolt out, we plan on re-drilling the hole and putting in a heli-coil.Now my suggestion to you and anyone that has not had a failure. Unscrew all of the stainless steel bolts that go into the frame and the hatch and coat them with tef-gel or never sieze. At least this me help getting the bolt out if it does shear off. Be sure that you have some type of nylon washer between the bolt and arm and also a nylon washer between the frame and the arm.I was lucky, my arms are still in one piece.

 

[Stephane Clement]

Hatche arms

Read your posting and it seems to me that there is a problem with different metals creating an electrolitic reaction. I guess that the bolts holding the arms are made of steel. If they are and are in contact with aluminium it will create corrosion. If you can still remove any bolts holding the arms on the hatches, you could try replacing them with bolts made of non magnetic material such as stainless steel or titanium. It would most probably end or retard corrosion.Hope this could help you and good luck!!

 

[CaptJeff]

Hatch support arms available

Try the ThriftyMariner for your Bomar hatches and portlights. They carry all the discontinued and Surplus Hatches, and portlights at Wholesale prices. Check them out at www.thriftymariner.com or call them at 813-243-1378