Leaky windows

[MarkR]

No, not a revamp of the Tina Turner hit but a question on the sealing around the Lewar Hatches on our boat - new to us but only 2 years old.

The hatches have what I would describe a snap closures (as opposed to the screw type I have been used to) and we see a few of them leaking between boat uses, especially after heavy rain. There seems to be no adjustment on the locking mechanism to improve the seal, so

1. What can I use to enhance or replace the seal/gaskets in place?
2. Is this a "design fault" commonly experieced with this type of closure?

Thanks in advance...


Mark

 

[janetp]

Check seals and inner frame for minute salt crystals/dirt. We have experienced leaking probs after hatches are washed by heavy seas. Even the smallest grain of salt or dirt seems to cause subsequent leaks. Try regularly wiping seal and hatch inner frame with clean damp cloth.

 

[ArthurWood]

Mark - Are you sure it's leaking through the seal and not through the hull/frame seal? We had a similar problem on ours and I thought for a long time it was the rubber/neoprene seal, but it turned out to be the hull-to-frame sealant which had failed. It's an easy job to remove and reseal the frame.