Leaking Houdini Hatch

[fishfoxey]

My hatch is leaking through the glass edge rather than seal , from what I can gather that makes it scrap as the glass is sprung in . As a new one is expensive I am thinking of making a Hatch cover and putting some press studs on the deck to attach it. How do I go about screwing into the fibreglass? Is it a case of drilling a pilot hole and then screwing the self tapper in with some sealant or will this crack the fibreglass, thanks

 

[Scotsailor]

I would try some Captain Tolleys. I’ve used it with success in the past.

 

[fishfoxey]

I would try some Captain Tolleys. I’ve used it with success in the past.

Thanks just googled it and it looks worth a try

 

[rafiki_]

You can properly seal this by cutting out the old mastic, replacing with new. I did this with my boat. The mastic dries out and leaks form. Mark where the glass fits before removing it.
Captain Tolleys can work, but didn’t on my hatch.

 

[oldgit]

" As a new one is expensive I am thinking of making a Hatch cover and putting some press studs "
Drip Drip on the bed ? .................Simple quick , cheap and effective fix.

Buy a metre or two of canvas , to match the other covers of your boat from ebay plus a kit of stainless DOT poppers ,male and female.
Use a tiny drill to make your initial hole in gelcoat and go up carefully from there to just under screw thread size on male popper.
A dob of CT1 before screwing in popper will help lock the thing in place.
One in each corner is sufficient.
Around £20-30 and an hour ? of time all in.
Allow a decent overhang around hatch, if you are careful you will be able to crack the hatch open with new hatch cover in place to allow ventilation even when you are away from boat.

You could get the cover made up to your dimensions from a local sail/boat cover maker (good luck with that) or you can order online (ebay again).
The real cheapskate might use the wifes sewing machine to sew the seams or more recently, have used a fabric glue to do the job, its lasted 4 years so far.
Have removed and resealed both the entire hatch and just the glass in the past on various boats, ...just not worth the hassle.
Tolleys was a waste of time on a horizontal hatch. Makes nice mess tho !

 

[fishfoxey]

" As a new one is expensive I am thinking of making a Hatch cover and putting some press studs "
Drip Drip on the bed ? .................Simple quick , cheap and effective fix.

Buy a metre or two of canvas , to match the other covers of your boat from ebay plus a kit of stainless DOT poppers ,male and female.
Use a tiny drill to make your initial hole in gelcoat and go up carefully from there to just under screw thread size on male popper.
A dob of CT1 before screwing in popper will help lock the thing in place.
One in each corner is sufficient.
Around £20-30 and an hour ? of time all in.
Allow a decent overhang around hatch, if you are careful you will be able to crack the hatch open with new hatch cover in place to allow ventilation even when you are away from boat.

You could get the cover made up to your dimensions from a local sail/boat cover maker (good luck with that) or you can order online (ebay again).
The real cheapskate might use the wifes sewing machine to sew the seams or more recently, have used a fabric glue to do the job, its lasted 4 years so far.
Have removed and resealed both the entire hatch and just the glass in the past on various boats, ...just not worth the hassle.
Tolleys was a waste of time on a horizontal hatch. Makes nice mess tho !

Thx I think that's going to be the cost effective way forward, one for thr other halfs sewing machine I think.