Stuck Hatch

Dan Duda · May 26, 2009

Greetings: The overhead hatch in the cabin of my 2520 SCMV is stuck in the closed position. After several years of never opening it, during a maintenance/corrosion control effort, I released the latches and pushed up --- but was unable to move it at all; even tried using "leg" pressure, but no luck. The latches all moved easily, with no evidence of corrosion, and there's no evidence of corrosion or salt build-up around the hatch perimeter. Has anyone had this happen and, if so, what's the fix?

Thanx,

Dan

Mike2043 · May 26, 2009

The hatch on my boat was in the same condition when I got it. The previous owner never opened the hatch or the vent windows on mine. I used a screwdriver from the outside a gently pride them open. I did have a small leak in the hatch after I I got it opened. This did go away on it's own after a short period of time. I think the gasket just had to expand after being opened up.

R & R · May 28, 2009

This might be helpful. My '96 2520 has a bowmar hatch. Not only do you undo the lock dog, but you have to un-twist and loosen the strut arm. That is the lock mechanisim to hold the hatch in the raised position.

channel_surfer · May 30, 2009

Mine is stuck real good every spring, I just force it open. I also understand it's good to spray the gasket with wd40 or something similar if you plan on leaving it closed (like over the winter) for a long time. Yours is probably just stuck extra good since it's been closed so long.

Heating up the gasket with a heat gun may help release it from the glass.

Dan Duda · Jun 2, 2009

Thanx for the ideas; I'll try again this weekend.

Dan

Dan Duda · Jun 6, 2009

Greetings:
Thanx for the suggestions. I finally broke it loose by using the suggestion to slowly pry the frame. I used a claw-hammer for leverage, carefully sliding the claw under the frame on the outside of the hull. The hatch popped loose after working slowly around the edge. The seal had become soundly "adhesive". I rejuvenated the seal with WD-40 and will "cycle" the hatch periodically to prevent a recurrence.

Dan