Leaking Cabin Roof

[oak]

Hello Simon,haven't heard from you for a bit.
My hull number is 25.
the sliding hatch was all over the place.
I packed out the sides so that it is a close fit,I put a flocked rubber seal under the sliding hatch which helped but it stills leaks.

part of the problem is that the hatch is slightly bowed and water runs under the transverse lip.

at the moment I am putting a flocked rubber seal on top of the sliding hatch whch will make a very tight fit [I hope].I am also putting a mahoganey strip under the slide to straighten it.then beefing up the transverse rubbers.

if that all fails I am going to construct a proper hatch.

One point which struck me was your comment regarding the thiness of thetransom .I have just ordered a swim ladder.do you think I will have to spread the load ,it seems strong enough to prevent any flexing
Oak
"Merlin"
No 25

[oak]

Simon,
just thought of another question.
my hatch sits in a U section which is made of rigid plastic.to me it looks as if the builder forgot to put a rubber seal inside the rigid bit.
how is yours constucted
Oak
If that is not clear I will put up a photo

[Simon Head]

Hi Oak

I will post some pictures of my arrangement when I next go and see my boat. We could do with a write up of this one to document problems/fixes to leaking hatches so that there is a "cure" to this (what looks like) a common ailment. I do not know even how it works as I have never had a problem with it. Ive been doing some more mods (between the cold weather):

1 Fitting a battery monitor (the NASA mini) completed. I will post some pictures of this.
2 Fitting galvanised leather hoops to the mast to avoid lacing the sail to the mast (which was a pain as I had to slightly chamfer the square base of the mast to get them on- it was easier to do this than take off the fitting at the top of the mast!!).
3 fitting a wooden block so that I could mount my table in the cabin (another pain due to the strengthening member down the centre board case!).
4 Fitting a teak panel by the access port at the bow in the cabin (pleasurable!)

Regards

Simon

[David Hudson]

Thank you David Peck for your excellent piece on sorting leaky cabin rooves.

Your instructions are now on my winter to do list.

I also note that you have removed the sliding hatch portion of the companionway lock.
This is one of the few CC features which could be improved / made safer.

David Hudson
Tokoloshe111

[David Peck]

Hi David,

I’m pleased to see that you found my article on “Modifications to The Sliding Hatch” useful. Good luck with the modification work. I think you will find it pretty straight forward and should not take too long. If you have any problems, contact me.

Incidentally, Honnor Marine told me they are now carrying out this mod as standard to all new boats! I’m not sure when they started but I gave them the details in January 2010.

Regarding the removal of the sliding hatch lock, I’m not sure what you mean? I have not removed any of the locking system, it has been left as standard. Perhaps the poor quality of the photo makes it look as if it is missing?

Regards
David Peck
CC94 Whistling Rufus

[Chris Wicks]

Hi David,
I have just read your hatch mod to prevent leaks. Kaliope now suffering from this and your mod is very well explained and sound simple. So I will get on with it. Thanks very much. Thanks also Simon to the excellent new section that contains all this information.

Cheers

Chris Wicks
CC67 Kaliope