We are new owners of a 1998 36mkII. Our boat was previously a charter boat. There were a few leaks in the hatches. We were not successful in our first attempt at repairing the leak in the escape hatch in the aft cabin. Is there a preferred marine sealant? When we repaired the hatch we noticed the window box was not flat. Several washers had been used to level the window. We sealed with mono exterior sealer and tightened down. Hatch cover would not sit properly so we had to loosen the screws. Did it a little too late and the sealant didn't stretch and lifted off the frame making the leak worse than ever. Any advice regarding materials and methods for fixing window/hatch leaks would be appreciated.
repairing hatch leaks
- Thread starter windy24518
- Start date
- Status
sealant
I read this forum a lot but also you can look at catalina25-250.org. As I recall there are a lot of posts on sealing in general that you might find helpful.
I read this forum a lot but also you can look at catalina25-250.org. As I recall there are a lot of posts on sealing in general that you might find helpful.
Hatch Manufacturer
rich is right about the C25 'site, but they are experts at sealing the fixed portlights, they just don't have the same hatches that C36 Mk II's have. Find out who the manufacturer is and get on their website. Also check the C36 website, they, too, are great. You could also go to the C34 website, www.c34.org, go to Forum, and then Message Board, and do an advanced search on Lewmar hatches. Good luck, lots of other people have been there and are sure to be able to help. Stu
rich is right about the C25 'site, but they are experts at sealing the fixed portlights, they just don't have the same hatches that C36 Mk II's have. Find out who the manufacturer is and get on their website. Also check the C36 website, they, too, are great. You could also go to the C34 website, www.c34.org, go to Forum, and then Message Board, and do an advanced search on Lewmar hatches. Good luck, lots of other people have been there and are sure to be able to help. Stu
Probably a Bomar
Catalina seems to use two hatch manufacturers for teie current boats. On the C-320 the forward hatch is made by Bomar while the hatch in teh center of the cabin is by Lewmar. Try both sites to determine who made yours, but it is most likely the Bomar. Steve Alchemist C-320 #909
Catalina seems to use two hatch manufacturers for teie current boats. On the C-320 the forward hatch is made by Bomar while the hatch in teh center of the cabin is by Lewmar. Try both sites to determine who made yours, but it is most likely the Bomar. Steve Alchemist C-320 #909
Its probably not your hatch
Its probably the method of sealing that hatch from the factory. I have a '99 C36MKII & I believe my aft hatch is a Lewmar. But is probably leaking is around the hole they cut in the boat. Catalina used a "grey tape" sort of sealer for the opening hatches and it does not work well for anything with an uneven surface. I too had many leaks around these hatches (though on the forward ones) and this is how I rechalked them to stop the leaks. I removed the hatch completely by undoing all the screws and then I scraped and cleaned off every last bit of the old caulking that was there. Then I applied "LIFE SEAL" as my caulk. It comes in a tube and you can get it from WM etc, etc. Its sort of a cross between a silcone caulk and a Life Caulk polysulfide. Its worked very well for me and cleans up much nicer than some. When applying put enough down to ensure a good coverage and at least 1/8" thickness everywhere. Then screw down the opening hatch MOST of the way down but not all the way down. Just enough to secure the hatch and start the "squishing" out of caulking process -- I'd say about 1/16" from having the hatch screwed down all the way. Youcan carefully clean the excess caulk around the hatch at this point with a nice clean flat straight edge. Then Just leave it. Don't touch the hatch for 2 or 3 days (more ?? Just make sure it is completely cured/dry), then come back and finish tightening the screws that hold the hatch down. This will form a sort of "gasket" and push the little bit of dryed rubbery caulking out securing the waterproof seal.
Its probably the method of sealing that hatch from the factory. I have a '99 C36MKII & I believe my aft hatch is a Lewmar. But is probably leaking is around the hole they cut in the boat. Catalina used a "grey tape" sort of sealer for the opening hatches and it does not work well for anything with an uneven surface. I too had many leaks around these hatches (though on the forward ones) and this is how I rechalked them to stop the leaks. I removed the hatch completely by undoing all the screws and then I scraped and cleaned off every last bit of the old caulking that was there. Then I applied "LIFE SEAL" as my caulk. It comes in a tube and you can get it from WM etc, etc. Its sort of a cross between a silcone caulk and a Life Caulk polysulfide. Its worked very well for me and cleans up much nicer than some. When applying put enough down to ensure a good coverage and at least 1/8" thickness everywhere. Then screw down the opening hatch MOST of the way down but not all the way down. Just enough to secure the hatch and start the "squishing" out of caulking process -- I'd say about 1/16" from having the hatch screwed down all the way. Youcan carefully clean the excess caulk around the hatch at this point with a nice clean flat straight edge. Then Just leave it. Don't touch the hatch for 2 or 3 days (more ?? Just make sure it is completely cured/dry), then come back and finish tightening the screws that hold the hatch down. This will form a sort of "gasket" and push the little bit of dryed rubbery caulking out securing the waterproof seal.
- Status