main hatch

[ramon orton]

Has anybody found a way to reduce sticky friction when opening or closing the main hatch. I've tried various sprays and lubricants, nothing I've tried works. As a mater of fact it's worse now than when I tried to fix it----help!
Ray--Chesapeake bay (Norfolk area)

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Has anybody found a way to reduce sticky friction when opening or closing the main hatch. I've tried various sprays and lubricants, nothing I've tried works. As a mater of fact it's worse now than when I tried to fix it----help!
Ray--Chesapeake bay (Norfolk area)

Have you tried McLube SailKote?

http://www.mclubemarine.com/sailkote/

It's a dry lubricant which will not collect dirt on the slides.

If possible, it might be helpful if your could start with clean sliding surfaces before applying the McLube. Maybe lift the hatch and get a rag under there if possible.

Good luck with it.

 

[centerline]

you must figure out why its sticking...

is the wood slides wet and swollen, causing binding?
usually when the wood tracks are dry, the hatch slides easier than when its wet.
is there any side to side play in the slider?
how about freedom of movement up and down in the track?
is the fiberglass hatch broken at the corners and letting it sag and hang up?
are the tracks in the wood "wore out" from constant use over the years?
is there interference with the fiberglass on fiberglass somewhere?

on my boat the wood runners were worn down from the hatch being opened and closed for 35years
it was was hard to slide and screeched at times where the leading edge of the slider drug over the coachroof as it slid open.

i built a UHMW wear cap that i placed over each slide rail on the hatch cover itself. the cap i built is thin (3/32 top and bottom) but runs the full length of the hatch on each slide and travels with the hatch as it opens and closes... the hatch opens like plastic sliding on plastic without lubricant, no matter if its wet or dry. so much better now and i didnt have to replace the wood.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I use glide tape, sometimes called drawer glide tape on the hatch slides. Some tape is thin similar to Teflon tape, a friend gave me the roll I'm currently using. This tape is thicker and has raised ridges as a glide surface.

 

[ramon orton]

Thanks Guys I'll try your suggestions one at a time.

 

[ben solomon]

Centerline,

What is UHMW? I apologize for my ignorance.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Allan12210]

Centerline,

What is UHMW? I apologize for my ignorance.

Thanks,
Ben

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. It is a very durable tough plastic with properties similar to Teflon, but cheaper.

Regarding your hatch, mine is still fine and as I understand it, there is not much under that seahood to interfere with its movement. Maybe someone else who has removed it in the past has pictures so we can see what's going on. I think you can remove the screws along the leading edges of the cover and carefully (so the two extensions don't crack) slide the cover completely out. Maybe something slid back in there and got stuck, rubbing on the hatch slider.

 

[ben solomon]

Thanks!,

 

[Allan12210]

Has anybody found a way to reduce sticky friction when opening or closing the main hatch. I've tried various sprays and lubricants, nothing I've tried works. As a mater of fact it's worse now than when I tried to fix it----help!
Ray--Chesapeake bay (Norfolk area)

Ramon,

I did some extensive digging and found this reference to a sticky hatch on our boats. It was posted a long time ago and I found his website describing the process.

http://people.maine.com/wiltjer/sail_brs_seahood.htm


Looks like there is a piece of wood at the aft end of the slider that may be the problem. The only way to get at it may be to remove the seahood. Good luck.

Allan