Cockpit Hatch

[Pete]

Our 48 LRC has a cockpit hatch, identical to what exist on SF models, that is access to the lazarette and through a door to the engine room. Combine that with my insistence that water, both rain and flotation remain on the outside of the boat and I have a problem. Just looking at this hatch, and the drain well in which it sits, and you do not need to be a rocket scientist to realize that it is not watertight. My suspicion is water gets into the lazarette around the crude lifting bolt and from overflow in the drain well as the two 3/8" drains are inadequate, even if you can keep them clear of debris.

Rather than reinvent the wheel on this one, I would appreciate the approach others have used to solve this water intrusion problem. I just want this leak to stop and am finally ready to do something about it.

Thanks

Pete

 

[lake of the woods]

Do you have a photo of the current set up?

Mark
Lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC

 

[thoward]

Mine have a 1/4x2? rubber skirt riveted around the lower inside edge of the hatch cover. The most effective solution would be to build/glass up the interior edge/lip of the opening and install a rubber seal

 

[jim rosenthal]

Posting a photo would help a lot. I think my boat had similar lifting bolts- I filled in the holes and then installed ring pulls that are held in by caulked screws. The hatch material is plywood. The hatch gutters usually drain pretty well if they are clear; they need to be flushed regularly. I agree that building up the lip and installing a rubber seal would help.