Leaking Hatches

Jun 7, 2012
86
Hunter 456 Port Canaveral
My Main Salon hatches are leaking on my 456. They are the Lewmar Coast S-10 type. Does anyone have a fix for this? I tightens the latches but to no avail.
 
Oct 18, 2010
69
Hunter 466 Mystic
A) are you sure it's the hatches? Leaks aren't always coming from where they appear to be. If several are leaking you're probably right, but if only one check a little further.

B) if it is at the latches, try cleaning the rubber gasket and inside of the hatch seal area. If it's around the edges of the glass the seals there can be replaced.
 

Beynt

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Aug 4, 2012
3
C&C 34 Northern Harbour
I have a 1979 C&C 34. The hatch over the v berth leaks in several places. What is the best way to fix it. For example, do I remove all the screws, seals etc. What is the best glue, epoxy etc to use. JB Weld, 3M 4200 or 3M 5200 etc.

I am a recent owner and know very little about repairing leaks. Water also is coming in at the cabin windows and at the hull in the V-berth. Could this be a result of cracks around the stanchions. If so, what is the best way to fix these problems.

I would apprciate any advise on how to deal with these problems.
 
Feb 26, 2004
98
Pearson 365 Ketch Memphis, TN
Brunt, I would start with the hatch. If water gets in there it may be coming out at you port light or hull joint. Also I would not use a permanent sealant like 5200 because you may need to replace the hatch at some time in the future. If silicon was used to bed the hatch in the past you are going to have a difficult time getting anything to "stick". "Maine Sail" is a regular contributor to this forum and had covered this at his Compass Marine website.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects
 

Beynt

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Aug 4, 2012
3
C&C 34 Northern Harbour
Brunt, I would start with the hatch. If water gets in there it may be coming out at you port light or hull joint. Also I would not use a permanent sealant like 5200 because you may need to replace the hatch at some time in the future. If silicon was used to bed the hatch in the past you are going to have a difficult time getting anything to "stick". "Maine Sail" is a regular contributor to this forum and had covered this at his Compass Marine website.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects
Thanks for the information. What an incredibly informative web site. Just to be sure, is the article of Maine Sail that you suggested I read before working on plugging the leaks in my forward hatch entitled " Re-Bedding Deck Hardware With Bed-It Butyl Tape"?

In the same article, is Maine Sail advising that silicone not be used to run a bead around the cabin windows but to use a polysulfide such as Boat Life Life-Calk? I think he states that since the 3M 101 is no longer available that Boat Life Life-Calk the sole marine grade polysulfide. Am I understanding this part of Marine Sail's article correctly?

Thanks for taking the time to response to my first email. I would appreciate very much getting your response to the two questions I raise in this email.

Beynt
 
Apr 5, 2011
113
Hunter 34 Tilghman Island, Md
I resealed one of my hatches this spring and used life caulk. so far no problems. I too like buty tape but I didn't use it for this job.

Brian
 
Sep 6, 2011
435
Thanks for the information. What an incredibly informative web site. Just to be sure, is the article of Maine Sail that you suggested I read before working on plugging the leaks in my forward hatch entitled " Re-Bedding Deck Hardware With Bed-It Butyl Tape"? In the same article, is Maine Sail advising that silicone not be used to run a bead around the cabin windows but to use a polysulfide such as Boat Life Life-Calk? I think he states that since the 3M 101 is no longer available that Boat Life Life-Calk the sole marine grade polysulfide. Am I understanding this part of Marine Sail's article correctly? Thanks for taking the time to response to my first email. I would appreciate very much getting your response to the two questions I raise in this email. Beynt
Beynt, I don't have your boat but have fought this battle recently. Do the hatches have aluminum frames or are they a thick plexiglass with hinges? (Mine are the latter and a pain! If the former you need to derermine of the leak is from around the frame or closing pieces. Most aluminum hatch manufacturers have seals you can replace like Lewmar etc.

Just rember butyl is appropriate where fasterers are used and could harm some plastics. Also above the waterline. My deck hardware Udall being bedded this way.

To determine the leak I use a little water with some light food coloring. I have a crappy towel to catch drips.
SC
 
Sep 6, 2011
435
I ended up going to McMaster Carr to find a similar material. If you have a photo it would help. Mine have two seals like you see in the attached photo. This isn't my boat but you get the idea.

SC


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