Waterproof hatches...

mikew4 · 29 December 2017, 09:59

Getting a bit cheesed off with the fact that my hatches are not waterproof:

- 2 x rear hatches at transom (battery locker, storage locker)
- Large locker under front suicide seat forward of console.

The lockers let quite a bit of water in and its rather irritating.

Trying to source some quality lockers with at least o-ring seals to keep most of the water out.

Idea folks?

Thx.

Starovich · 29 December 2017, 10:21

pictures or dimensions may help

Nos4r2 · 29 December 2017, 11:50

Some of the Osculati hatches have rubber seals.

or you could always put drain holes in the lockers instead.

Andy_Rs600 · 29 December 2017, 19:26

Hijacking this thread slightly but... How much would people expect a deck fitting Lewmar hatch like THIS to leak? I've never had one on a RIB but the ones fitting as yacht deck hatches have always been pretty watertight.

mikew4 · 29 December 2017, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Some of the Osculati hatches have rubber seals.

or you could always put drain holes in the lockers instead.

Good pointer...thanks. Will check dimensions of openings on boat when am next down with it.

:-)

Searider · 29 December 2017, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_Rs600

Hijacking this thread slightly but... How much would people expect a deck fitting Lewmar hatch like THIS to leak? I've never had one on a RIB but the ones fitting as yacht deck hatches have always been pretty watertight.

Shouldn't leak at all.

Either its been forced open or bent back on its hinges and now isn't straight, or the frame isn't properly sealed to the deck.

I've got one of these on my boat and it always leaked a little until I took it off and refitted it paying close attention to sealing the frame to the deck correctly.

willk · 29 December 2017, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_Rs600

Hijacking this thread slightly but... How much would people expect a deck fitting Lewmar hatch like THIS to leak? I've never had one on a RIB but the ones fitting as yacht deck hatches have always been pretty watertight.

I have one on my "cabin" facing into the action. It hasn't passed a drop of water in four seasons...

GuyC · 29 December 2017, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikew4

Getting a bit cheesed off with the fact that my hatches are not waterproof:

- 2 x rear hatches at transom (battery locker, storage locker)
- Large locker under front suicide seat forward of console.

The lockers let quite a bit of water in and its rather irritating.

Trying to source some quality lockers with at least o-ring seals to keep most of the water out.

Idea folks?

Thx.

Bomar do access hatches with O-ring seals

Deck Plates & Inspection Hatches - Bomar - Jim Black - Seaworld - for example.

Sometimes it's the frame that isn't square / flat that causes the hatch to leak.

Andy_Rs600 · 29 December 2017, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I have one on my "cabin" facing into the action. It hasn't passed a drop of water in four seasons...

Yeah, that's my previous experience. Guess they shouldn't look like this after 2 weeks of rainfall then...

GuyC · 30 December 2017, 06:35

Are you sure it is the hatch that is letting the water in?

Andy_Rs600 · 30 December 2017, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyC

Are you sure it is the hatch that is letting the water in?

Comes in from the deck (i.e rain gets in, having the boat on the water does not let any in). There are no other deck fittings into the lockers in question.

The only alternative I can think of is that there is somehow an actual leak in the deck GRP somewhere, but I can't see anything.

willk · 30 December 2017, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_Rs600

Comes in from the deck (i.e rain gets in, having the boat on the water does not let any in). There are no other deck fittings into the lockers in question.

The only alternative I can think of is that there is somehow an actual leak in the deck GRP somewhere, but I can't see anything.

Is this hatch on your Ribcraft? If so, I'd lift the entire hatch (if possible) and inspect the deck before refitting.

Andy_Rs600 · 30 December 2017, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Is this hatch on your Ribcraft? If so, I'd lift the entire hatch (if possible) and inspect the deck before refitting.

Yep. 2 foredeck hatches in a 6.8, both leak. The dealer I got it from have apparently already done this, but the hatch-edge to deck join does seem to be the most likely source.

jeffstevens763@g · 31 December 2017, 19:45

Have you tried taking the bolts/ screws out and go round the edge to see if the sikaflex has delaminated from the deck or hatch it can happen with being stood on over time especially if it's just a single bead.

Andy_Rs600 · 01 January 2018, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Have you tried taking the bolts/ screws out and go round the edge to see if the sikaflex has delaminated from the deck or hatch it can happen with being stood on over time especially if it's just a single bead.

The dealers I got the boat from say they have lifted both hatches and re-sealed. Like I say this seems the most likely problem..

willk · 01 January 2018, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_Rs600

The dealers I got the boat from say they have lifted both hatches and re-sealed. Like I say this seems the most likely problem..

I'd start fresh and forget what you have been told by the dealers IIWY. You could test this problem on the hard - dry out the well locker and use a hose to soak the deck (but not the hatch) and if that leaks - you have it. Maybe it will stay dry and then you can spray the hatch to replicate rain and spray. I'd test anchor lockers and so forth as well to see if there is any water moving around in the hull...

jwalker · 01 January 2018, 17:30

If the deck is not absolutely flat, when the rim is screwed down it will flex and also not be flat, then, of course, the hatch is less likely to seal...just a thought for you...

gtflash · 13 January 2018, 11:34

I had an old lewmar that leaked. They have service kits. I should have done that. Instead I tried some of the plastic walk on hatches from osculatti. They leaked from new, but cause I cut the hole bigger my old hatch no longer fitted. In the end I fitted plastimo planus and both have been extremely reliable. I should have stuck to repairing what I had, I’m far worse Todd by trying to be cheap.

One thing I did find was water was also coming in through an old hole in a stringer. On land the boat would collect water aft. Then it would run up the stringer if I left the boat nose down. That collected in the front of the boat. Look for weep marks and water runs. Clean your locker out spotless then monitor or alternatively put a small person in the hole and fill the deck up with a hose