Sliding hatch runner material?

[Sefuller]

I have purchased a new acrylic sliding hatch for our Oday 39. The original is 35 years old, and has slid on teak runners about 1/2" wide on each side. Over 35 years, dirt and dust on that interface has caused the acrylic to wear slightly and become less "slippery" where it slides on the runners so it no longer operates easily. While I have it apart I will replace the teak runners, and I'm wondering if something like UHMW or a similar product might be better? I don't want to re-design the entire thing, and I realize that just using teak again will probably give decent service for the years I have left with the boat, but I'm thinking the plastic type product might be less susceptible to embedded dust and dirt that cause the hatch to wear.

 

[dlochner]

If you use a plastic, make certain it is UV stabilized.

Another option is stainless steel. Easy to clean, no worry about UV, and a coat of wax keeps it sliding.

 

[dmax]

A number of options are discussed here: Companionway Screeching New stocked Available
HDPE strips probably the favorite.

 

[Johnb]

A wee squirt of McLube and it will slide beautifully.

 

[Sefuller]

If you use a plastic, make certain it is UV stabilized.

Another option is stainless steel. Easy to clean, no worry about UV, and a coat of wax keeps it sliding.

I should have mentioned that it slides forward under a storm hood so at least half the runner on each side is pretty inaccessible for cleaning or lubrication.

 

[Hayden Watson]

I used this UHMW tape on mine. Now they slide silently and I will sometimes need to reclose the hatch in a seaway because it will open itself if not latched.

 

[shemandr]

West System makes a graphite filler for their epoxy. It renders a very hard, slippery surface. I used to use it my hard dingy bottom. I have done epoxy repairs to teak by using a solvent to reduce the oils in it.