Sean Madian Portland, OR
Boat Name: Time Out
Model/Year: 1973
Hull No. CL 3839 FX
Hailing Port: Portland |
01/12/2006 1:20 PM Pacific Time
I've noticed that the boards holding my sliding hatch in place are leaking through the screw holes (this is easy enough to fix and won't present a problem). My question is whether anyone has experimented with raising the hatch boards w/say, cork by 1/8" where the screws are located. This would create a small channel in 3 locations allowing water to drain under the hatchboards. Since all rain on the sliding hatch runs off the top, and into the groove in the hatch boards, raising the board and allowing the water to leach out under the wood would prevent seepage through the screws and, I think, reduce the weathering on the wood.
Thoughts? |
Bilbo Youngstown, Ohio
Boat Name: Sea Dog
Model/Year: Catalina 22 1987
Hull No. 13971
Hailing Port: Andover, Ohio |
01/12/2006 8:21 PM Pacific Time
Hi, When I went around the boat looking for leaks with buckets of water, I noticed that this is a possible place for water comming underneath as the only place for water to drain off the inside of the hatch rails is fore/aft. I had considered routing out some wood on the bottom between the screw holes but cork gaskets may also work as youd described as long as the hatch still works properly.
~Bilbo |
Lance Jones Atlanta, GA
Boat Name: Kitty's Cat
Model/Year: 1988
Hull No. 622
Hailing Port: Lake Lanier, Aqualand Marina |
01/13/2006 5:42 AM Pacific Time
I made a bead of marine caulk around each hole and allowed to dry. Built it up with another layer and allowed to dry. I then filled the center of the bead with caulk around and in the screw hole and tightened down. It raises the level a wee bit with a material that will not absorb the water; but, allows it to run throug. Seems to have worked for me. |
Sean Madian Portland, OR
Boat Name: Time Out
Model/Year: 1973
Hull No. CL 3839 FX
Hailing Port: Portland |
01/13/2006 6:15 AM Pacific Time
Great feedback guys. I read in another post an idea around filling the grooves w/epoxy and then re-cutting them w/the idea that the epoxy is more durable. I'll experiment w/that combined w/using the cork and some sealant. Great ideas. Thanks! |
George Georgetown, SC
Boat Name: Blu Notes
Model/Year: C-22 1982
Hull No. 11184
Hailing Port: Georgetown, SC |
01/13/2006 6:45 AM Pacific Time
The VERY BEST sealant I have come across in all circumstances is a product called "Lexel". The stuff stays pliable and will stop ALL water leaks.
When I revamped my boat, I removed these top hatch boards and resealed them with Lexel. No leaks at all. The only drawback is that they will be hard to remove in the future. |