Hatch problems

emandvee44

emandvee44

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We have had a crack in the acrylic for some time and this week I decided to remove the hatch, and then the acrylic (I found a local company who can copy it exactly).
Unfortunately, the two halves of the frame will not separate. I have tried penetrating oil, hammering with a wood block but no movement.
Before I go the expensive route and order a new one from UK, has anyone any ideas?
M.


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If you already have the template for the replacement you might try cutting across the acrylic either side of the frame joins with a jigsaw to make a big gap you can get a jack in. Tricky bit will be preserving the rubber gasket but the crack might help you there. The tongues inside the frames at the joins are usually plastic, you may have to buy or make replacements for them. Hadlow Marine (and others) stock gasket rubber in various profiles.
 
Mine was really difficult to come apart, in the end I wriggled a thin pry between the frames and got it that way
 
Could you put a piece of wood in each hinge slot & try to jack it apart from there? Once you have a bit of a gap, some wooden wedges, care and patience should do the rest.

Good luck
 
Seeing as you no longer need the old acrylic could you bolt a piece of wood or similar through the four holes. It may then be possible to hold one side in a vice and jack it apart? That way you avoid damaging it by prying - maybe worth a try.
 
pandos said:
Maybe worth pouring some boiling water into and around joint...this can have good results trying to free up aluminium/stainless steel/corrosion
Click to expand...
I was thinking this. It doesn't cost anything to pour a few kettles full over it, over the course of a couple of days. Apply penetrating oil in between.

This was one of the first tricks I learned from this forum and it has served me very well indeed.

This will be aluminium-on-aluminium corrosion, but I'd still try it anyway. There might be lateral expansion, with one half or corner expanding faster than the other.

EDIT: Also, I might try jamming the tip of a flat-bladed screwdriver in the gap, then - if you can get it in far enough - concentrate the boiling water on there.
 
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I'm not certain why you need to pry the frame apart and potentially distort it in the process. The acrylic panel is normally set into marine grade silicone from the top. You need to cut the seal all around and from underneath with a thin, sharp knife. Once the panel is removed, all remaining adhesive needs to be removed for reassembly.
Don't ask me how I know and good luck.
 
Laminar Flow said:
I'm not certain why you need to pry the frame apart and potentially distort it in the process. The acrylic panel is normally set into marine grade silicone from the top. You need to cut the seal all around and from underneath with a thin, sharp knife. Once the panel is removed, all remaining adhesive needs to be removed for reassembly.
Don't ask me how I know and good luck.
Click to expand...
There is no adhesive - it is one of the Lewmar low profile types.
M.
 
Patience. Be prepared for more than one tea break... ah no, the hot water is going onto the frame.

Seriously, when I needed to remove a stuck outboard prop (aluminium on stainless), I used three or four kettles of water each evening for at least three or four evenings before it even started to budge.

Patience needed.
 
Thanks again to all who have given suggestions.
I managed to get the two frame pieces apart, with a lot of effort and very slight damage at the joints. I could not remove the joining pieces, they are stuck ,although repeated application of hot water might do the trick. One of the joining pieces was broken. I sheared one screw.
The frame itself is distorted in several places, probably because the hatch was on occasions "over opened" onto the foredeck.
There is some corrosion to the frame between the hinge spaces, and in fact that is a weak spot. I can twist the frame in that area by hand. The seal at 18 years old is in good shape.

All in all a sorry tale:(

I am now waiting for a quote for a complete frame/hatch assembly from Ocean Chandlery.

Guess what my Christmas present will be:rolleyes:

I might do a little story on here in due course ' Installing a new hatch on Boxing Day''

M.

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I think you are very wise to buy a complete new frame and acrylic. I had exactly the same problem on my 44 and spent hours trying to take the two halves apart. The difference in costs makes it a sensible and easy replacement solution.
 
B&M said:
I think you are very wise to buy a complete new frame and acrylic. I had exactly the same problem on my 44 and spent hours trying to take the two halves apart. The difference in costs makes it a sensible and easy replacement solution.
Click to expand...
I have just found that svb stock the complete frame and lid, so no taxes on a uk purchase.
M.
 
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