Deck Hatch Replacement Advice

These are most likely the original suppliers.
https://www.taylormadeproducts.com/products/flags-and-deck-hardware/ultra-iii-hatches

 

I’m curious why you want to replace them? Are they broken? I removed mine, re-bedded them, re-sealed the actual hatch then repaired the (not sure what to call them) opening/holding arms. I think I spent about 50.00 doing it myself. WestMarine, FP and eBay have the parts and seals. Mine are TaylorMade 12x12 over the dinette and galley and 18x18 over the V-Berth, gasket around the glass is cut to length.

My .02
Jon

 

I learned a lot from this guy Paul on “Boating with BoogaBoo” on youtube. He goes through it a couple of times. Mine leaked around the frame and the glass, now all good.

Edit, my only advice is get at least 2 quarts of acetone, it’s your friend.
Jon

 

If you have resealed the hatch, the only other places for leaks are the glass itself or the handles. Sometimes just tightening the screw in the handle will stop a leak.

 

+1 on removing, cleaning up, and rebedding. I've done it on many boats (not just classic SRVs). What generally happens, is that years of solar exposure, and thermal cycling of the hull and hatch frames eventually causes the gaskets and sealants to lose grip. Disassembling, cleaning it all up, and rebedding them is not only an easy task, its something you'd be doing to install a new hatch anyway, and a new hatch will frequently mean you need to re-cut the hole to fit some 'new standard'. The old ones are really well made, and clean up nicely.

 

If the lexan is in need of replacement I got mine from ePlastics on line. They cut it to size, all I did was drill for the handle

 

Good deal - most of the time, reseal is the way to go.

You didn't use 3M 4200 or 5200, did you? Hopefully not!

 

Out of curiosity whats wrong with those particular 3M products?

 

You'll never be able to remove that hatch again without destroying it. Plus a first rate mess to clean up. Butyl Rubber sealant is your friend. It's a pretty small list of things I use 4000 or 5200 on.

 

Like TT said, they're just too strong - they're primarily an adhesive - and this is not what you want in this application. They're excellent products, but they really have limited use. Some may say that they sealed it "forever"... well, no, that never happens Besides, what if the hatch gets damaged and is in need of replacement? Yeah, there are things you can do... but it's just not worth it when the proper SEALANT will do just as good of a job.

Butyl rubber is definitely the king for applications like this. However, a properly applied (let to set up a bit) bead of marine sealant will still do an excellent job.

 

+1 to you guys, I used just regular Lowes window RTV non hardening sealant, I am not in salt so it’s just to keep the rain out.