Forehatch replacement - westerly storm

[Chae_73]

Any advice or experience on this? Looking for a "drop in" replacement hatch if such a thing exists. It's a 1987 boat.

I've asked on the WOA forum as well, but thought I'd try here. I sti;ll find the WOA forum a bit odd to search and read.

 

[Concerto]

I changed my Fulmar forehatch to a Bainbridge one. It is almost a direct swap with just a little easing, but new bolt positions. Works fine but the locking catches are not quite as good as the Lewmar one. Currently there is no stock available in some chandlers, so if you are not in a hurry, it would be worth waiting for.

 

[Neeves]

I know nothing about the Westerly Storm nor its hatch but wonder why it needs to be replaced. Most hatches should be indestructible - can it not be renovated, new acrylic, new seals etc. I must also admit I look at many older yachts with some horror and trepidation and hatches would be well down my list of priorities.

I changed my Fulmar forehatch to a Bainbridge one. It is almost a direct swap with just a little easing, but new bolt positions. Works fine but the locking catches are not quite as good as the Lewmar one. Currently there is no stock available in some chandlers, so if you are not in a hurry, it would be worth waiting for.

Some older yachts that have been well cared for, Concerto being an excellent example - different story (so why was Concerto's forehatch replaced?

I'm happy to be educated.

Jonathan

 

[Chae_73]

to be honest, it probably could be renovated. I'd need to replace the hinges, latches, acrylic, seals... so I'd retain the alu frame.

I think it will be easier and cheaper just to replace the whole thing, but I could be wrong.

 

[Neeves]

to be honest, it probably could be renovated. I'd need to replace the hinges, latches, acrylic, seals... so I'd retain the alu frame.

I think it will be easier and cheaper just to replace the whole thing, but I could be wrong.

I'd say you are spot on - unless you cannot find a replacement of the correct size - but I too could be wrong (I often am wrong ).

Cutting a bigger hole or making the hole smaller adds a new dimension (which is easy when you are sitting in Sydney but much more difficult if your are looking at the reality).

There are lots of hatch makers, Gebo, Vetus and Moonlight come to, my, mind - its not only Lewmar. Good luck with the search.

But maybe someone will come up with other ideas about a renovation.

Jonathan

 

[PaulRainbow]

Any advice or experience on this? Looking for a "drop in" replacement hatch if such a thing exists. It's a 1987 boat.

I've asked on the WOA forum as well, but thought I'd try here. I sti;ll find the WOA forum a bit odd to search and read.

As #2, i recently swapped the forward hatch on my Discus for a Bainbridge one. Same cutout dimensions, slightly different overall dimensions and bolt holes in different places. Not a difficult swap.

 

[Concerto]

Some older yachts that have been well cared for, Concerto being an excellent example - different story (so why was Concerto's forehatch replaced?

I'm happy to be educated.

Jonathan

When I bought Concerto, the survey said the replacement acrylic had a crack by the handle and the sealant was correctly bonded and would certainly leak. I investigated getting the acrylic replaced, but this involved removing the complete hatch and having to seal the hole whilst removed. This was quoted at £200 by the local window repair specialist 7 years ago. The Bainbridge hatch was priced at that time at £195 and reputed to be a direct swap. The choice came down to having a repaired original hatch or a new one for the same price. However the new one becomes appealing when secondhand one in need of replacement acrylic sell for £50, making the new hatch cheaper.

 

[Neeves]

My prodding is based on a dislike of spending money unnecessarily - I was not trying to be argumentative. I don't believe that money should be the first answer (this is PBO after all!).

But I'm convinced - if a replacement drops in easily - go for it. If the drop in exists - its the best answer.

Servicing a hatch would need an investment in time, cleaning the old one up - but there is still some of this work to do, whatever, cleaning up the old hatch location will still take some time (been there, done that).

Jonathan

 

[john_morris_uk]

I’d be very surprised if one of the Lewmar hatches didn’t match the cut-out size pretty well. We’ve replaced all the hatches on our Westerly Sealord over the last 15 years or so. I’ve usually had to trim the corners of the cut-out slightly and the fastening holes are in different places but it’s been one of the easier upgrades.

(we changed the hatches for a variety of reasons - curing leaks, hatches that wouldn’t stay ‘part open’ broken handles , crazing etc )