Lewmar deck hatch leaking through rivets in catch block

[Walsh0575]

Hi, During a recent rain storm with wind/rain hitting the starboard side, I had significant leaking from a lewmar hatch. After fiddling with it for a while I determined it was coming through the rivets that hold the catch block in place. Water came in the rivets, then once behind the catch block would leak out the bottom of the catch block. Anyone have this problem? Any remedies?

I'm considering, even if just a temporary solution, putting some kind of caulking over the exterior of the rivets to seal them from water penetration.

 

[jssailem]

On my hatch, the toggle had a thin gasket material between the hold down and the plastic lens. I removed the gasket and replaced it with a thin film of caulk. No more leaks.

 

[rgranger]

Rivets are easy to replace. Drill out the old ones.. put some bedding down behind the latch ( like butyl tape) and pop new rivets.

 

[BigEasy]

On my hatch, the toggle had a thin gasket material between the hold down and the plastic lens. I removed the gasket and replaced it with a thin film of caulk. No more leaks.

Recently had a similar problem. changed the external part of the handle and associated handle gasket at a nominal cost; problem solved. As @rgranger mentioned, if the leak is definitely from the block / rivet, rebed & place new rivet or nut & bolt.

 

[jviss]

Rivets are easy to replace.

That's not necessarily so. I had to replace a couple of pop rivets on a Lewmar hatch, and the nose on the rivet gun wouldn't fit into the counterbore where the rivet was. One needed a custom rivet gun nose for this. Very frustrating. So, OP should carefully examine the place where the rivets go and see if the rivet puller nose will fit.

p.s. finally fixed when I modified the rivet gun nose on my lathe.

 

[Sailor Sue]

Garden-grade rivets like those shown are hollow in the middle so they can leak. They make a special closed-end rivet to eliminate your problem - unfortunately I don't remember the exact name for that type of rivet. Maybe check out McMaster-Carr.

 

[dLj]

Garden-grade rivets like those shown are hollow in the middle so they can leak. They make a special closed-end rivet to eliminate your problem - unfortunately I don't remember the exact name for that type of rivet. Maybe check out McMaster-Carr.

I believe they are called blind sealing rivets. I also seem to recall they need a special rivet gun. But you should check.

dj