My Cabin Hatch is Leaking

[channel_surfer]

Last year in a few trips thru rough seas with a lot of water coming up on the forward bow, we had some leakage into the cabin thru the bomar hatch. It's been good since. My dad figured it was not closed properly but I had checked it and it appeared secure.

Yesterday we had some serious torrential downpours (for about 3 hours straight) and heavy winds. I checked on the boat when it passed and the cushions in the cabin were soaked. I checked the hatch and it was secured properly. Upon further investigation I found that the hatch appears to be leaking not from the gasketed surface where it opens, but the water is dripping from between the outer edge of the hatch and the inner trim ring on the inside of the cabin roof.

Looks like there is either no sealant, or whatever is there is leaking. The hatch was dripping from all around the perimiter, not just one spot.

Anyone else experience this? Going to pull the hatch this week sometime and reseal it, I'll report what I find as far as sealant or other problems. Not worth pulling the boat and hauling it to the dealer (for warranty coverage) for this in my opinion.

Thanks.

 

[Porkchunker]

My hatch doesn't appear to have sealant, but it doesn't leak...and it is a 2002 model. Sealant isn't always visible...especially if it is done right.

Sounds like it is time to remove the hatch, clean up the surfaces, and rebed it in 3M sealant. I'd recommend 4000. It is excellent sealant and still allows the hatch to be removed and resealed or replaced some day. 3M 4200 is very durable, but hard to remove, and 3M 5200 is permanent (although some will say there is a way to remove it). Because the rim of the hatch is aluminum, you don't want sealant that is so durable that you end up bending the frame in order to remove it and reseal it every few years.

BTW, deck hardware should be removed and resealed every few years. My boat is now 6 years old, and I'm thinking it is about time to remove everything (including bow rails) and rebed.

Dave

aka

 

[Keith FDNY]

Well mine used to leak as well if i sprayed hose on it rained hard,so what i did was i took the screws out of the top and the bottom removed the face plates,it was little tuff to pry it off from the old sealent,once i got it off i cleaned the area up got off all old stuff got my chaulk gun put a bead on he top half as well as the top brackett hen put it in place screwed it in then took inside piece but a bead on that an and screwed that back it,wiped off the extra cleaned it up,the what i did was on the hatch it self it got air condition insulation and lined it up around in 1 piece and that was that!!!Waited for a day to dry took the hose and sprayed the hell out of it and wala no water inside!!!Nice easy job

 

[channel_surfer]

That's what I'm expecting to do as well. Thanks for the info Keith.