The sliding hatch on our B361 sticks becoming very difficult to close/open. We've cleaned it and tried lubricating it with parafin, lip balm, wax, talcum, and vaseline (based on suggestions from various sources). Nothing has worked so far. We consider it a safety hazard as it's putting our backs/shoulders at risk. Has anyone else experienced this, and what was your solution?
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oceanis361
Try McLube
Barb, I have a 361 and every now and then the hatch seems to get a little cranky. I have used McLube spray and that seems to work. Good Luck Charlie
Barb, I have a 361 and every now and then the hatch seems to get a little cranky. I have used McLube spray and that seems to work. Good Luck Charlie
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Jose Venegas
I found a solution
I had the exact same problem in my 361 and tried the same things you did without success. Eventually I removed the white fiberglass cover (6 or 8 screws) and found that the black rubber seal used was too tall and created too much friction on the hatch. In fact, the hatch was being supported by the seal!!! I also noted that the seal had been secured on the cabin roof forming an irregular curve that made the hatch harder to slide in one direction than the other. After trying all kinds of lubricants my solution was to reseat the seal in a straight configuration and carefully shave the seal down to the point where it made just enough pressure to serve its purpose but not to push up the hatch. It became very easy to slide and so far, it has worked for a full season without the need to re-lubricate. Not only it is saving my shoulders and knuckles but it no longer wakes up every body when I need to come up at night.
I had the exact same problem in my 361 and tried the same things you did without success. Eventually I removed the white fiberglass cover (6 or 8 screws) and found that the black rubber seal used was too tall and created too much friction on the hatch. In fact, the hatch was being supported by the seal!!! I also noted that the seal had been secured on the cabin roof forming an irregular curve that made the hatch harder to slide in one direction than the other. After trying all kinds of lubricants my solution was to reseat the seal in a straight configuration and carefully shave the seal down to the point where it made just enough pressure to serve its purpose but not to push up the hatch. It became very easy to slide and so far, it has worked for a full season without the need to re-lubricate. Not only it is saving my shoulders and knuckles but it no longer wakes up every body when I need to come up at night.
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kevin
How did you straighten out the seal?
Jose, please explain how you did this. I am in the process of adding water traps on my hatch to stop water from coming in when heeled & a wave breaks over the windward side. The tracks are not level and when heeled the hatch lifts slightly allowing water to slip in. I am installing a 3/8" wide x 3/4" deep x the length of the hatch plexiglass which will sit on the outside of the tracks. This new water trap should pin to the track when healed and water does not seem to want to go uphill but rather should flow out the built in scupper. I should have this completed today and will post a photo when complete.
Jose, please explain how you did this. I am in the process of adding water traps on my hatch to stop water from coming in when heeled & a wave breaks over the windward side. The tracks are not level and when heeled the hatch lifts slightly allowing water to slip in. I am installing a 3/8" wide x 3/4" deep x the length of the hatch plexiglass which will sit on the outside of the tracks. This new water trap should pin to the track when healed and water does not seem to want to go uphill but rather should flow out the built in scupper. I should have this completed today and will post a photo when complete.
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Jose Venegas
Kevin, I removed the seal
and re-glued and screwed it straight. In relation to the entrance of water, in my boat the tracks seem to be well leveled and the hatch has two thin plastic stripes glued to it outside of the tracks that act to deflect water down. I did note that the hatch, when closed, can be pushed up 1/4 in. Although that could possible result in water coming in when heeling it has never happened because so far I have been lucky and have not had much green water on my deck (touch on wood). In any case, I am planning to instal a couple of Teflon wedges at the companionway end below the teak handrails that will push the hatch down when closed and prevent it from separating from the track. If I was you, I would remove one of the tracks and reinstall it level with the other one. Other wise you may end up with a lot of friction if the hatch weight ends up supported by the new seals Looking forward to hear from you.
and re-glued and screwed it straight. In relation to the entrance of water, in my boat the tracks seem to be well leveled and the hatch has two thin plastic stripes glued to it outside of the tracks that act to deflect water down. I did note that the hatch, when closed, can be pushed up 1/4 in. Although that could possible result in water coming in when heeling it has never happened because so far I have been lucky and have not had much green water on my deck (touch on wood). In any case, I am planning to instal a couple of Teflon wedges at the companionway end below the teak handrails that will push the hatch down when closed and prevent it from separating from the track. If I was you, I would remove one of the tracks and reinstall it level with the other one. Other wise you may end up with a lot of friction if the hatch weight ends up supported by the new seals Looking forward to hear from you.
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kevin
New water stop!!!
Jose, I have added the water stops which I hope will work. Look at the photo and let me know if you have any comments. Job was very easy and I wont know if this works until I am back in conditions with waves breaking onto the deck again.
Jose, I have added the water stops which I hope will work. Look at the photo and let me know if you have any comments. Job was very easy and I wont know if this works until I am back in conditions with waves breaking onto the deck again.
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kevin
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Jose Venegas
I had misunderstood you, Kevin
The picture is worth a thousand words, as they say. I now see what you did. Good idea and that should work as long as water is prevented from entering from the front. It may still be worth for you to remove the cover and check that the rubber gasket seals the front entrance. As I said, my boat came with similar, though quite a bit smaller, plastic strips. I am surprised yours didn't
The picture is worth a thousand words, as they say. I now see what you did. Good idea and that should work as long as water is prevented from entering from the front. It may still be worth for you to remove the cover and check that the rubber gasket seals the front entrance. As I said, my boat came with similar, though quite a bit smaller, plastic strips. I am surprised yours didn't
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kevin
The forward seal is tight
and squeals with the best. I will look into your solution although as long as it squeals then I know that it seals.
and squeals with the best. I will look into your solution although as long as it squeals then I know that it seals.
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Jose Venegas
Kevin
I meant that water could enter the space between the sides of the squealing seal and the Plexiglas strips that you added. Perhaps the hatch does not touch the track because the seal is too high and the hatch's weight it is supported by the seal, making it hard to move.
I meant that water could enter the space between the sides of the squealing seal and the Plexiglas strips that you added. Perhaps the hatch does not touch the track because the seal is too high and the hatch's weight it is supported by the seal, making it hard to move.
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Bud
More McLube
I have the same problem of the hatch being difficult to slide open or closed. I tried McLube near the end of the season and it seemed to work. Probably I will have to reapply several times during the season. The problem seemed worse on very hot days.
I have the same problem of the hatch being difficult to slide open or closed. I tried McLube near the end of the season and it seemed to work. Probably I will have to reapply several times during the season. The problem seemed worse on very hot days.
B
Barb
Thanks to everyone who responded - we'll give McLube a try. Also thanks to Jose for explaining about the black rubber seal. Fair winds... Barb
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