Well I thought I had fixed the leaking hatch problem that we all suffer from. But NO!! She is in a pen at the moment and last night we had rain. Just got back home from checking her over and you guessed it. There was about an inch of water on the floor. Just how has everyone else solved this inherent problem "permanentley"????? Any contributions that turn out successfull will be rewarded! Looking forward to your reply for I hope to fix this "dam" (parden the pun) problem once and forever this weekend!
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Hi Mark - How's Winter?
I think you are talking about the companionway area that is leaking. If this is it,try this. We also used this when under sail and raining worked like a charm. http://www.ayesail.net/sailing/SailboatMods/CompanionwayCover/index.htm Jim S/V Java
I think you are talking about the companionway area that is leaking. If this is it,try this. We also used this when under sail and raining worked like a charm. http://www.ayesail.net/sailing/SailboatMods/CompanionwayCover/index.htm Jim S/V Java
Mark a doodle dandy
Now you know better not to forget asking me. First, I want to confirm the companionway boards and then go from there. by the way, look at the cuts on the hatch boards and make sure they are angled up. Can you tell if water may have dripped on to the counter or sink area. Get back with me you old buzzard. Even though we have never met it sure feels like I know you. Crazy Dave Condon
Now you know better not to forget asking me. First, I want to confirm the companionway boards and then go from there. by the way, look at the cuts on the hatch boards and make sure they are angled up. Can you tell if water may have dripped on to the counter or sink area. Get back with me you old buzzard. Even though we have never met it sure feels like I know you. Crazy Dave Condon
Cover is the way to go
I have a cover for my H-26, it is wider than the one shown so it covers the insturments. I put a layer of plastic insulation under it and it keeps the boat cooler in the 105F heat.
I have a cover for my H-26, it is wider than the one shown so it covers the insturments. I put a layer of plastic insulation under it and it keeps the boat cooler in the 105F heat.
Cover on Mine Too
I had one made that went from the bottom of the companionway all the way up to the mast. No water at all inside even through a couple of tropical storms. If you have the camper top you already have the snaps on most of it already so if you order one ask for the snaps to be left off and then put them on the cover yourself matching the the ones already on the boat. If you do not have the camper top it is a good time to get one it is a great addition.
I had one made that went from the bottom of the companionway all the way up to the mast. No water at all inside even through a couple of tropical storms. If you have the camper top you already have the snaps on most of it already so if you order one ask for the snaps to be left off and then put them on the cover yourself matching the the ones already on the boat. If you do not have the camper top it is a good time to get one it is a great addition.
Factory Tarp/Cover
Hunter should provide a factory cover for the companionway (or build a dry boat)! Every H26/260 in our marina has this leak.
Hunter should provide a factory cover for the companionway (or build a dry boat)! Every H26/260 in our marina has this leak.
Tarp/Cover
Mark, Like everyone else we have the companionway cover. Unfortunately ,it turned out not to be enough so we added a tarp tented over the boom with bungee cords. THAT seemed to do the trick. Yes, we siliconed the runners on the hatch the way Crazy Dave suggested and we still had some water. Try the tarp and it also keeps the cabin cooler when your out in the sun. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Mark, Like everyone else we have the companionway cover. Unfortunately ,it turned out not to be enough so we added a tarp tented over the boom with bungee cords. THAT seemed to do the trick. Yes, we siliconed the runners on the hatch the way Crazy Dave suggested and we still had some water. Try the tarp and it also keeps the cabin cooler when your out in the sun. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
I must be the odd man out,
as I rarely get water through the companion way. Occationally with driving rain, I get enough to towel off. One thing I don't do is use the factory Hasp, which doesnt alow the hatch to slide all the way back. I drilled a hole in the corner and pin it. Jeff Peltier
as I rarely get water through the companion way. Occationally with driving rain, I get enough to towel off. One thing I don't do is use the factory Hasp, which doesnt alow the hatch to slide all the way back. I drilled a hole in the corner and pin it. Jeff Peltier
Hey, Odd Man
Jeff, are you saying that you pull the sliding hatch all the way forward before you lock it? Where do you put your pin? Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Jeff, are you saying that you pull the sliding hatch all the way forward before you lock it? Where do you put your pin? Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Jim, you did a beautiful job
I modeled my hatch cover after yours by tenting it in the middle. My 240 didn't have leaks but am sure tired of the dirt that accumulates while in dry storage. By cutting out the hatchboard and slider area and fitting pet-proof screen there, then having a zippered flap over that, I got a dual-purpose cover that keeps it clean and keeps the bugz out. Thanks for the tips.
I modeled my hatch cover after yours by tenting it in the middle. My 240 didn't have leaks but am sure tired of the dirt that accumulates while in dry storage. By cutting out the hatchboard and slider area and fitting pet-proof screen there, then having a zippered flap over that, I got a dual-purpose cover that keeps it clean and keeps the bugz out. Thanks for the tips.
Cover
Although I have no (knock on wood) leaks, I got tired of sealing the boat up in the rain. Since I have lazy jacks, I couldn't tarp over the boom without readjusting them everytime. My solution was to get a lenght of 1" pvc pipe and run a line through it with snaps at both ends (you could just use the line) and snap it at the mast and mainsheet. I center the tarp over the pipe and then bungee it down to the deck. Unless the wind is blowing from the stern, I've been able to keep my boat open whenever it rains. Also has the cooling effect mentioned in other posts. Oh..it's an 8x10 tarp. A friend with a 260 near me just uses a tarp bungeed over the companionway. One other benefit....keeps the sun off the teak
. Fair winds, John
Although I have no (knock on wood) leaks, I got tired of sealing the boat up in the rain. Since I have lazy jacks, I couldn't tarp over the boom without readjusting them everytime. My solution was to get a lenght of 1" pvc pipe and run a line through it with snaps at both ends (you could just use the line) and snap it at the mast and mainsheet. I center the tarp over the pipe and then bungee it down to the deck. Unless the wind is blowing from the stern, I've been able to keep my boat open whenever it rains. Also has the cooling effect mentioned in other posts. Oh..it's an 8x10 tarp. A friend with a 260 near me just uses a tarp bungeed over the companionway. One other benefit....keeps the sun off the teak
. Fair winds, JohnHowdy howdy howdy
Giday Dave and crew. It is the slide hatch that leaks. The water comes of the front edge of the plexiglass and generally drips onto the floor or the sink area. There must be a permanent way of fixing this. Anyway I am going to take the bloody thing apart (again) over the next few days and have another go at fixing it. You bloodywell should not have to tie a tarp over a yacht. What would happen if you were out sailing for 8-10 days in rain. I guess thats what the bilge pump is for??
Giday Dave and crew. It is the slide hatch that leaks. The water comes of the front edge of the plexiglass and generally drips onto the floor or the sink area. There must be a permanent way of fixing this. Anyway I am going to take the bloody thing apart (again) over the next few days and have another go at fixing it. You bloodywell should not have to tie a tarp over a yacht. What would happen if you were out sailing for 8-10 days in rain. I guess thats what the bilge pump is for??
I drilled a hole
in the corner, just outside the teak pull bar and pin it there. Otherwise, mine is open about an inch if I use the factory hasp. Jeff Peltier
in the corner, just outside the teak pull bar and pin it there. Otherwise, mine is open about an inch if I use the factory hasp. Jeff Peltier
Well it has rained cats and dogs down here
I guess we have had about 40mm over night and the water is just pouring in so off to the hardware store and a six by four tarp has fixed the immediate problem but I must take the slide out of the yacht as soon as the weather fines up and make a big attempt to fix this problem forever. It would appear that the water is coming around the ends of the teak strip at the front of the plexiglass. And did it pour in. I had about an inch of water on the floor,after the water spilled in and landed on the counter top near the sink and ran down into the eski hold and then down onto the starboard cushion, saturating it and ending up on the floor. There just must be a solution to this? Perhaps the teak strip, where it is planed down on each end may not be high enough or perhaps the silicon has given way which is meant to adhere the plexiglass to the teak strip. One way or another I will fix this very very annoying problem. With absolute respect to everyone (as always) I do not believe that you should have to resort to poly tarps to solve this.
I guess we have had about 40mm over night and the water is just pouring in so off to the hardware store and a six by four tarp has fixed the immediate problem but I must take the slide out of the yacht as soon as the weather fines up and make a big attempt to fix this problem forever. It would appear that the water is coming around the ends of the teak strip at the front of the plexiglass. And did it pour in. I had about an inch of water on the floor,after the water spilled in and landed on the counter top near the sink and ran down into the eski hold and then down onto the starboard cushion, saturating it and ending up on the floor. There just must be a solution to this? Perhaps the teak strip, where it is planed down on each end may not be high enough or perhaps the silicon has given way which is meant to adhere the plexiglass to the teak strip. One way or another I will fix this very very annoying problem. With absolute respect to everyone (as always) I do not believe that you should have to resort to poly tarps to solve this.
Cover Was Only Fix For ME
I have a seven year old H26 and after fighting the hatch leaking problem for awhile , I finally had a good quality hatch cover made which goes over the companionway as well. This solved the problem when you weren't sailing. My H26 came with the teak strips (which act as stoppers for the hatch cover) make too short at the ends when they manufactured the boat. New correct sized strips from Hunter solved some of the problem, but not all of it. The cover is the only way I have found to keep the boat dry. I agree that Hunter should have solved this problem long ago, but has not. Mark, if you find some magical solution from a "down under" perspective, please let us all know!! Until then, buy a good, custom fit cover.
I have a seven year old H26 and after fighting the hatch leaking problem for awhile , I finally had a good quality hatch cover made which goes over the companionway as well. This solved the problem when you weren't sailing. My H26 came with the teak strips (which act as stoppers for the hatch cover) make too short at the ends when they manufactured the boat. New correct sized strips from Hunter solved some of the problem, but not all of it. The cover is the only way I have found to keep the boat dry. I agree that Hunter should have solved this problem long ago, but has not. Mark, if you find some magical solution from a "down under" perspective, please let us all know!! Until then, buy a good, custom fit cover.
Cats and Dogs
Mark, you're right that the "dam" atop the forward edge of the lexan panel is a crucial element, and that's where I'd start. When mine was leaking, the other problem was the teak handle under the forward edge. the screws at each end had partially pulled out, allowing the panel to sag slightly under its own weight and pool water. I had to use a larger diameter screw and a generous dollop of 5200 at the screw heads to remedy the problem. I get a few drops once in a while in a driving rain, usually through the hatch boards, but generally it's leak free now.
Mark, you're right that the "dam" atop the forward edge of the lexan panel is a crucial element, and that's where I'd start. When mine was leaking, the other problem was the teak handle under the forward edge. the screws at each end had partially pulled out, allowing the panel to sag slightly under its own weight and pool water. I had to use a larger diameter screw and a generous dollop of 5200 at the screw heads to remedy the problem. I get a few drops once in a while in a driving rain, usually through the hatch boards, but generally it's leak free now.
Thanks Tom
Yes Tom the screws on each end of the aft teak slide pull are also loose so am thinking of in bedding a thread in from the other side and screwing up with stainless bolts. I will then attack the front one that is pooling the water. Tom what is this 5200?? I am not sure of the equivelent in Australia. Sicaflex???? By the way its 9.20pm on Monday night down here and blowing a gale. About 50-60- knots althought the weather bureau predicts 70-80 knots over night. Just got back from the marina and put on extra lines to be sure to be sure!
Yes Tom the screws on each end of the aft teak slide pull are also loose so am thinking of in bedding a thread in from the other side and screwing up with stainless bolts. I will then attack the front one that is pooling the water. Tom what is this 5200?? I am not sure of the equivelent in Australia. Sicaflex???? By the way its 9.20pm on Monday night down here and blowing a gale. About 50-60- knots althought the weather bureau predicts 70-80 knots over night. Just got back from the marina and put on extra lines to be sure to be sure!
John Pollitt
Would be interested in seeing your set up or more detail for tenting your tarp over your hatch. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Would be interested in seeing your set up or more detail for tenting your tarp over your hatch. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Tarp tent
I did not use a tent system. I simply purchased a 6X8 poly tarp. The front eyelets are fixed to the base of the staunchions aside the mast and the back eylets are fixed to the cup holders (where you store the halyards. Used some bungee cord to tie off. So the tarp lays flat on the top. Checked again this morning after a massive storm and about 35mm overnight and not a leak.
I did not use a tent system. I simply purchased a 6X8 poly tarp. The front eyelets are fixed to the base of the staunchions aside the mast and the back eylets are fixed to the cup holders (where you store the halyards. Used some bungee cord to tie off. So the tarp lays flat on the top. Checked again this morning after a massive storm and about 35mm overnight and not a leak.
Companionway Cover
Mark, Since I had purchased the companionway cover (pop-up) when we bought the boat, I had snaps down both sides of the hatch. I had a local canvas-maker add three snaps on each side of the compainioway boards, and then make a cover that goes from the mast to the cockpit deck. I found the idea on this site (check the archives). THe trick that makes it work is a strap in the middle of the cover that goes over the boom, and "tents" the cover. During extremely heavy rains (in the range of an inch per hour), I might get a tablespoon of water on the cabin sole. The cover goes on or off in about a minute, so it's no big deal to use it. Hope this helps. Ray
Mark, Since I had purchased the companionway cover (pop-up) when we bought the boat, I had snaps down both sides of the hatch. I had a local canvas-maker add three snaps on each side of the compainioway boards, and then make a cover that goes from the mast to the cockpit deck. I found the idea on this site (check the archives). THe trick that makes it work is a strap in the middle of the cover that goes over the boom, and "tents" the cover. During extremely heavy rains (in the range of an inch per hour), I might get a tablespoon of water on the cabin sole. The cover goes on or off in about a minute, so it's no big deal to use it. Hope this helps. Ray
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