Houdini Hatch

[jusw]

I have a "Houdini" brand escape hatch fitted to Treble C - I think they are pretty universally used across many boats.

I have a leak - whenever we plough through a wave I get an eggcup full of seawater on the upholstery - not very welcome.

I'm unsure if it's the gasket around the opening panel that needs replacing or whether the leak is between the glass and the aluminium frame.

You often walk on the glass and some of the hard "packing" around the glass has come away from the frame.

Have any of you had a similar issue? If so, what do you recommend the best fix is?

I'm tempted to silicone around where the glass and frame meet and see if that fixes the problem before replacing the extruded gasket at £25+

What do you recommend?

Julian

 

[nimbusgb]

The silicon will work for a while, then it will leak again. Then you'll get ticked off and apply some more silicon which will fix it for a while ....... It'll next leak on a cold and bumpy night ...... when your partner is trying to grab 5 minutes in the berth, she'll get pi$$ed off with you and want to go home ...............


Replace the gasket and try to avoid walking on the glazing in future.

 

[colvic987]

The silicon will work for a while, then it will leak again. Then you'll get ticked off and apply some more silicon which will fix it for a while ....... It'll next leak on a cold and bumpy night ...... when your partner is trying to grab 5 minutes in the berth, she'll get pi$$ed off with you and want to go home ...............


Replace the gasket and try to avoid walking on the glazing in future.

i had that problem and in the end replaced it with a gebo replacement as seen in most of the sailing mags. around £229 approx

no leaks since.

 

[markdj]

Houdini hatches leak. There is no fixing them. The design is flawed. See my previous rantings...

 

[FullCircle]

Rants aside, I have had good service from them. They are a small company.


Houdini Marine Windows Limited.

Hallmark Industrial Estate, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7EH

Tel: +44 (0) 1621 773590

Fax: +44 (0) 1621 773852

Email: enquiries@houdini-marine.co.uk

 

[melandnick]

Just to add a bit of a story about Houdini hatches.
About 12 years ago I fitted one when I replaced my coachroof before I left to sail to the Canaries.
On the way it leaked a lot. The boat is small and takes a lot of water over the bow when its rough but the front bunk was always wet even when it was just raining.
When I got to the Canaries I contacted Houdini and just on my word, with no proof of purchase etc they sent a new replacement hatch out to La Gomera.
I spoke to them and they had even had the actual hatch overnight in their test tank so that they could be sure it was good.
Unfortunately........it leaked!
I think the earlier poster is right and it is a poor design. Maybe OK for a coastal motorboat but for offshore yacht they don’t seem to be up to the job.
About 7 years later I had a chat with them at a boat show and the Guy remembered me from before and was very understanding and said that if I wanted a replacement of another type then he would supply it at cost.
Seems to me that Houdini’s customer service is absolutely first class and let down by a poor product.
As it happens I changed it to a Gebo this year and though the quality of the plastic fittings (hinge caps etc) is very poor, I am really happy with it and it seems to let in loads more light.
I think they are closer to £300 now though.

Nick

 

[2nd_apprentice]

Interestingly Roger Taylor of MingMing fame has a Houdini hatch. You'd hardly call him a coastal sailor. He also mentions that the hatch initially leaked but had it fixed. I'd really like to know what he came up with.

 

[ianfr]

What I don't like is water collects on the glass so when you open it you get drenched. Seems silly to have to go on deck with a sponge before opening it

Ian

 

[Dan the man]

I fitted a new houdini hatch (the following week, or so, the new Gebo one was launched) and it worked a treat, no leaks, and it is a lovely hatch.
I dont think one should walk on them, really.

I also believe the RNLI fit HOUDINI products......

 

[Bassplayer]

I have 2 on my boat that dont seem to leak. But, because of my dodgy shoulder I can't lift it and tighten the knobs at the same time. Anyone ever fitted gas struts or a spring?