Noisy companion way hatch

[SimonFa]

When closing and opening the companion way hatch it causes an awful screeching sound and its making me very unpopular in the marina.

The boat has been sat in the marina for about 18 months before I bought it without much use. I thought it might ease with usage but if anything its getting worse. I've tried dry lube without success and was wondering what next? Would a bit of candle wax work and if so will it last?

I really would like it to run smoothly and quietly so all ideas welcome.

Many thanks in advance,

Simon

PS I've googled this but I find the answers, mostly from USA sites, quite confusing so simplicity for a new boat owner please.

 

[NormanS]

Candle wax, furniture polish, silicon spray. All sorts of things.

 

[sarabande]

what are the 'runners' ? Probably metal, so it might be a question of flushing out with a hose any dust or grit that has accumulated over time, letting the area dry, then trying a squirt of nylon glide lubricant (I think it's PTFE).

If that doesn't work, take of the sliding section of the hatch, clean up everything in sight, then put some strips of polyethylene (an ice cream tub cut up is fine) between the runners. PE is very slippery.

Generally if you get a lot of water over the deck, hatches clean themselves.

 

[vyv_cox]

My hatch is GRP running in aluminium U section. Over years the grp had worn down, causing black wear debris to constantly wash out and cover our clothes. I lined the hatch with PVC angle bought at B&Q, has solved the wear problem and simultaneously reduced the noise.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I use a little silicon grease every now and and again.

 

[alan_d]

Don't overdo the lubrication, otherwise you may find that the hatch slides by itself when the boat is pitching in a seaway.