Bow/V-berth stateroom hatch

[rwaldrop13]

Looking for some advice/recommendations. I have a persistent leak in the V-berth hatch on the bow. I tried covering the vent alone and that did not make any difference. I covered the entire hatch and leak did not recur. We're expecting rain the next couple of days so plastic is staying in place. The hinge is actually on the flat rim of the hatch opening and fastened to the inside of the hatch cover. I noticed on a few different boats the hinge was located on the outside so all components were vertical. Anyone else had a similar issue, and if not, where is your hinge located on the hatch? I think I need to relocate the hinge to outside of hatch/rim and position it vertically, bedding hardware. Otherwise I am considering rebedding entire hinge with butyl tape.

Thoughts?

 

[dar636]

My hinge is on the AFT side. I did have a leak when we got the boat and replaced the hatch to deck seal, no rainwater leak any more. I do keep a canvas cover on at all times too just to double up the protection.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Sams has the proper weather strip to make it like new. You'll also need the 3M adhesive to stick on. Did mine a few years ago and its been leak free.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/3M-Black...1975bc4f7c1c1da59af0ddcb135cdaf3&gclsrc=3p.ds

 

[rwaldrop13]

Sams has the proper weather strip to make it like new. You'll also need the 3M adhesive to stick on. Did mine a few years ago and its been leak free.

Thanks - The issue seems to be that the leak is coming thru from the screws in the wood frame in the stateroom, but nothing is coming thru in the hatch where I can feel it. It's also showing up at the front corner of the hatch, not at the back where the hinge is. It's one of those "how the... is the water coming out there?" scenarios. Looks like I will be lifting the hatch off to glass the current hinge location, installing hinge bedded with butyl tape on the outside.

 

[rwaldrop13]

My hinge is on the AFT side. I did have a leak when we got the boat and replaced the hatch to deck seal, no rainwater leak any more. I do keep a canvas cover on at all times too just to double up the protection.

View attachment 54225

Thanks - I actually replaced the weatherstrip around the hatch/deck without success in stopping the leak. It seems to be coming thru the deck structure and dripping around the screws in the wooden frame underneath. I think I may be looking at rebedding the hinge, but it's not a weatherstripping issue.

 

[barcer]

Have you repaired?*

 

[MadHatter53]

Mine has a leak also but it’s coming from the glass panel. I removed, cleaned and recaulked last spring and it still leaks so that’s another job for next season.

 

[Cricket]

Any soft spots around the hatch? Might be coming in thru a crack somewhere in the deck and running thru the balsa until it's finding an exit..
Hopefully it's just a gasket.