Canpa hatches

[Dazedkipper]

My forehatch is leaking! I have replaced the seal, first with a low density neoprene foam as per the original and recently with a higher density hollow section from Seals Diect but both leak when sailing in heavy seas and wet conditions. I suspect what is happening is that the deck and hatch flex when sailing in a heavy seas and this allows water to creep between the seal and the deck flange at the corners which are furthest away from the hinges and clamps.
Can anyone recommend another seal that I can try? Alternatively, perhaps it is time to replace the hatch, in that case is there a direct replacement?

 

[vyv_cox]

Are you sure it's coming through the seal? I replaced mine with foam neoprene(?) from Seals Direct and it works fine. Is the seal under compression when the hatch is closed? If so it's probably not the seal that's the problem. If not you may have bought the wrong section.

The seal between the perspex and frame is silicone or something similar. The perspex is held down by a number of small screws into holes in the perspex. After a few years the seal breaks down and water gets between. It's a fairly easy job to remove the screws, push the perspex out and rebed it. I used some heavy silicone which has been good for two years now. Don't overdo the screwdriver, these are tiny screws.

Another source of leakage is the handles. They have small section O-rings that you may be able to replace, although mine reacted favourably to a bit of grease and tightening.

Finally, the sealant between the frame and the deck may have failed. My forehatch also leaked here, rebedding in Sikaflex 291 fixed that one.

 

[robmcg]

In case you wanted to replace the Canpa hatches - I believe there are no direct replacements (having asked around the manufacturers at the boatshow). However I believe the Houdini hatch people may fabricate something to fit - they did mention it as I was sourcing some seals for my moonlight hatch handle.

 

[Dazedkipper]

Are you sure it's coming through the seal? I replaced mine with foam neoprene(?) from Seals Direct and it works fine. Is the seal under compression when the hatch is closed? If so it's probably not the seal that's the problem. If not you may have bought the wrong section.

The seal between the perspex and frame is silicone or something similar. The perspex is held down by a number of small screws into holes in the perspex. After a few years the seal breaks down and water gets between. It's a fairly easy job to remove the screws, push the perspex out and rebed it. I used some heavy silicone which has been good for two years now. Don't overdo the screwdriver, these are tiny screws.

Another source of leakage is the handles. They have small section O-rings that you may be able to replace, although mine reacted favourably to a bit of grease and tightening.

Finally, the sealant between the frame and the deck may have failed. My forehatch also leaked here, rebedding in Sikaflex 291 fixed that one.

Can you remember the code or size of the section that you used?

 

[vyv_cox]

Can you remember the code or size of the section that you used?

It was either 12 x 5 or 12 x 6, applied vertically, double width, so 12 x 10 or 12 x 12. Sorry, don't remember which. If you think your deck is flexing I guess you should go for greater height,so maybe 19 x 10/12?

 

[Pye_End]

It was either 12 x 5 or 12 x 6, applied vertically, double width, so 12 x 10 or 12 x 12. Sorry, don't remember which. If you think your deck is flexing I guess you should go for greater height,so maybe 19 x 10/12?

I am told that it is 12 x 10.

This is presumably for the plastic Canpa hatch rather than the metal one.

On mine, one of the screws was no longer biting, and had no cover. Took the whole hatch off to re-seal, but also had to build up that scew hole, and then covered the hole up afterwards.

 

[Dazedkipper]

It was either 12 x 5 or 12 x 6, applied vertically, double width, so 12 x 10 or 12 x 12. Sorry, don't remember which. If you think your deck is flexing I guess you should go for greater height,so maybe 19 x 10/12?

Ok, many thanks. The section they supplied me was a skinned neoprene in the form of a square figure 8, with two hollow channels, about 12x10mm overall. It is quite rigid though and the catches only just engage so it could be that the lid is being distorted. I'll speak to them again.