Wooden hatch is stuck/moves only with a lot of resistance

DangerousPirate

DangerousPirate

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 Feb 2020
Messages
963
Location
N. Ireland
Visit site
A couple of days ago I got my new boat and the hatch is really a pain in the ass. Everytime one tries to open or close it it comes down to a workout.

Yesterday it took me 10 minutes to close it...

Now as far as I can see nothing is blocking it. I guess its just the cold? Maybe it will be better in summer. But until then what can I do? Lubricate it? With wd-40? I dont know if that would stain or attack the wood though. Looking for advice on which lubricant is suited for wood.

Thanks
 
Silicon spray or wax.. is it a sliding hatch ?
It's that time of year where wooden doors swell up to their max...
Wd40 is not really a lubricant as it's a solvent.
 
If you don't have a cover over it, it's most likely that the timber has swollen with all the rain.

From the photo it looks as if it might use brass track such as my boat has. Like this:


1612887594173.png1612887695240.png

When mine starts to get stiff I clean the track and lubricate it with a silicon lubricant but be careful to keep anything with silicon off the woodwork because it will prevent varnish adhering to it, and also glue if you ever need to do any repairs,
 
Difficult to see from the pick, but that type of hatch normally slides on brass or Tufnol runners. There is usually also clearance either side to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood. Tryting to push it back straight sometimes helps, but suspect the hatch is distorted. If you can get it free then wax on the runner helps
 
I am at the boat right now, and yes it has a brass bar installed, I don find my wax but will spray it tomorrow and see if that helps. My guess is that the guy wasnt the best carpenter and didnt think of how "alive" wood actually is.
 
If that is a westerly ? Maybe the owners forum wound have ideas- maybe replace with a grip version if distorted ? I seem to recall an article about replacement of centaur hatches for some reason ?
 
It is a westerly. But before I posted, and now with others mentioning it, Im confident its just the weather playing on the wood.

At the moment Im more worried about the ice forming on my docking lines ^^'
 
DangerousPirate said:
It is a westerly. But before I posted, and now with others mentioning it, Im confident its just the weather playing on the wood.

At the moment Im more worried about the ice forming on my docking lines ^^'
Click to expand...
Making a GRP hatch like a Pageant's or Centaur's would be an interesting project
.
 
Its good as new, doesnt need replacing. Also I like the wooden look. Im fairly sure the hatch works better when its warmer. And in winter just needs lubrication. Im fine with that.

Gonna order some lanolin soon
 
gus said:
Lanolin is worth remembering as a lubricant.
Click to expand...
Yes I use a product called Lanoguard, fantastic. Some years ago we coated the thread of a galvanized shackle under water on mooring having seized it with wire. At the end of the season the lanolin was still there. We. Easily undid the shackle by hand. Really recommend it in a marine environment. It is also environmentally friendly.. It comes from sheep wool.
 
Anything silicone is illegal to be used within 100 meters of anything that may need paint or varnish at any point in the near or far future.
At least in my household it is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top