Forward Hatch Over Berth

[dickcour]

I have read posts about these hatch problems. I have a Sea Ray Sundancer 310. The front hatch has an intermittent leak. A repair person suggests permanently gluing the hatch so it no longer opens. It seems to me this is not a safe approach. Is it safe to glue the hatch shut? Does this render the boat unseaworthy?

I expect there are better solutions to this problem as I have read herein so it seems that permanently sealing the hatch is extreme and does away with an escape route and limits venitlation.

Thanks

 

[RollerCoastr]

Has it been rebedded? Most hatch leaks aren't the fault of the hatch itself, but instead the seal between the hatch and the deck. I've had small leaks come from the dogs/latches, which is solved by simply tightening the screws. I also added an additional row of weatherseal around the edge of the hatch. I had intended to replace the original weatherseal, but when I noticed there's room to double, I just did that. We had a squall come through yesterday that took down 6 power poles and countless trees, but my 20 year old hatches didn't leak a drop.

 

[eagleone]

My front hatch leaked on my 240 Sundancer and we resealed it problem was all gone, as far as your repair man I would not let him touch my boat for anything find a different place, and yes it is a safe way out, and a vent you will want.

 

[The Bill Collector]

First off, I would not use that repair person EVER again. I have re-bedded all of my hatches after I had a small leak with one of them, after several years now they are still all dry. The forward hatch is a direct escape route out of that stateroom if there is a fire aft of it and on the lesser side, yes it's a great source of ventilation.

 

[Bob & Sue]

First off, I would not use that repair person EVER again. I have re-bedded all of my hatches after I had a small leak with one of them, after several years now they are still all dry. The forward hatch is a direct escape route out of that stateroom if there is a fire aft of it and on the lesser side, yes it's a great source of ventilation.

Best advise you can get. Get RID of that Repair Person (or lack of repair knowledge person) never rely on a word he has to say again.

Worst case he could of had you burned alive with no escape hatch.

 

[skibum]

Mine leaks from the O-rings around the latch handles after the screws walk themselves loose from turning them. A quick turn of the screwdriver takes care of it for another couple of months...

The nature of the leak will determine what you need to do to fix it. Ask that repair guy to tell you specifically where the leak is.