Leaky Hatchboard

[jakez]

I have an Catalina 30 Mk I. When it rains I find the forward edge of my quarter berth gets a bit more than damp, but not flooded, right under the main hatch. I think water gets pushed under the bottom hatch board by the wind or direction of the rain (leeward slip).
I don't have a dodger, and it's not in the near future, don't like tarping my boat, but that would probably work.
Any other solutions to help seal the hatch w/o covering it?

 

[Stu Jackson]

You could try this: get a large piece of Sunbrella that spans the more than the width of the hatch and reaches down to below the step to the companionway steps. Use either velcro or snaps to hold it in place.

 

[kappykaplan]

You could try this: get a large piece of Sunbrella that spans the more than the width of the hatch and reaches down to below the step to the companionway steps. Use either velcro or snaps to hold it in place.

I have a piece of Sunbrella that snaps on the outside of the hatch frame - works great.

 

[foolproof]

I had this problem too. Let me ask you this: is your boat, like mine, an original tiller boat that's been converted to a wheel? If so, I would look at the rudder post. In its original configuration, any water would drip down the rudder post and into the bilge. However, in my boat, the water dripped down the post into the steering mechanism cover that hides the cables, bellcranks, etc. My solution? I put a cover over the top of the rudder when I'm away from the boat. I also had to build some little "dams" to prevent water from running in from around the rear lazzerette gully.

Let me know if this helps.

 

[Lost Parent]

Mine leaked at the same place at the cable cover but found it was the compass leaking down the binnacle as for the leaking boards go inside and look out at the bottom of the bottom board you will probably see light , i used some weatherstripping and also made a sunbrella cover this all even though I have a dodger , it was the wind

 

[Glenn17467]

Does your top hatch board have louvers? My 84 C30 does and water enters when it rains getting the aft berth cushions wet directly below. The companionway panel where the steps attach is delaminating from water. Covering the companionway as Stu suggests would solve the problem but I think may restrict ventilation, the solor powered vent on the forward hatch pulls air through the hatch board. My solution is to cover the louvers with a piece of lexan or plexiglass mounted a teak frame preventing water from getting it but allowing air movement.

 

[jakez]

You could try this: get a large piece of Sunbrella that spans the more than the width of the hatch and reaches down to below the step to the companionway steps. Use either velcro or snaps to hold it in place.

Thanks, Stu. That seems like the most obvious and inexpensive solution.

 

[jakez]

Does your top hatch board have louvers? My 84 C30 does and water enters when it rains getting the aft berth cushions wet directly below. The companionway panel where the steps attach is delaminating from water. Covering the companionway as Stu suggests would solve the problem but I think may restrict ventilation, the solor powered vent on the forward hatch pulls air through the hatch board. My solution is to cover the louvers with a piece of lexan or plexiglass mounted a teak frame preventing water from getting it but allowing air movement.

Yes, I do have the louvers. I think water comes in there and maybe a bit from under the bottom board. Where did you attach that lexan / teak frame? I assume it goes over the hatchboard, but has space between the hatch board and the lexan to allow air flow?

 

[Glenn17467]

I have not done it yet. I will attach 1/2"x1 1/2" teak strips across the top and down the sides of the louvers, approximately 13 1/2" wide x 7" high, then attach the plastic. Starboard, teak or stainless could work in place of plastic and only the top needs to prevent water from entering, the sides could be open. I have tried to find an off the shelf scoop but nothing was large enough. A scoop could be formed by heating plexiglass and bending it.

 

[jrowan]

I installed a simple aluminum plate (or you could drill & screw a small plexiglass panel) to the inside of the vent louvers cut into the hatch board. The slats do not have enough angle - pitch to prevent water from blowing in during a hard rain. The plate mounted to the inside of the louvers is a quick fix, & if the leak stops then you know what the culprit is. Then move on to the next leak!