Removing Replaced Front Hatch

[rajhnsn]

The smoked glass in the replaced Bomar front hatch unseated from the black beading caulk last season. I held it down with the duck tape anticipating that I would take the entire hatch out after the boat was put up and rebuild and reseat everything. After the deck and ceiling screws were taken out, I found that the frame would not budge. A few strikes with a large screw driver and persuader had no effect. I suspect it was layed in with 5200. Any ideas on how to remove the hatch without destroying the deck? I suppose I could just reseat the glass once the whether breaks but I would like to reseat the entire hatch.

 

[Blitz]

If it's 5200 it won't be easy without damaging the deck or hatch.

I removed a bomar hatch a couple of years ago (replaced with another bomar). Most likely if it hasn't been reset since the factory then it will be bomar's tape sealant which acts like a cross between foam tape and butyl tape.

If you can't create any mechanical advantage by press the hatch out without bending it you'll need to knock it out with scrapers.
I used some tape (removable duct tape) around the deck right up to the frame to protect the deck. Use scrapers with a sharp edge to go around the entire frame to cut the sealant. You'll need the scrapers in which the metal goes all the way through the handle so you can tap it. Take your time and you'll get it.

Also, I've found using "Debond" on the sealant breaks it up some but has lots of fumes.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

 

[rajhnsn]

Thanks. Good ideas. It looks like it is not the original hatch so it could be 5200 but regardless I think your suggested technique would be the same.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I just removed ours.

Look around here: http://www.pompanette.com/pompwebOL...9259c8a8a1af3479852567f9004a154b?OpenDocument

I levered it up, slowly, slowly, slowly. Damn those idiots who used glue. And Satan's Glue, too.

 

[Tom J]

I investigated removing my front hatch a couple of years ago, and went to a site, (Bomar, I believe) where they described using a 2x4 on blocks placed over the hatch, using a c-clamp or something similar to pull the frame up off the deck. Hopefully, your hatch was sealed with 4200, and not something like 5200.

 

[jibes138]

See if you can just remove the hatch and leave the frame in the boat. In other words can you disassemble it at the hinges so you can send the cover to Select Plastics in Connecticut that, last time I looked, had a business replacing the lenses in hatches.
I replaced mine when it became extremely crazed but had a yard do it so I don't have personal experience, but looking at my hatch I've wondered about pulling the hinge pins if I need to do it at a later date.

 

[joelbus]

I just worked on the 2 hatches. I did not take the hatches out, there was no need. I just took the plastic out, since it was old and cracked, sanded, put on a coat of aluminum primer and painted black. The lenses are now Polycarbonate, bronze tinted. Next thing I'll have to do is get a Sunbrella cover for them.

 

[Blitz]

Looks great!