I have a problem with a leaky GEBO Hatch (Standard Deckhatch with flange).

I found the following suggested fix on the web:
------------------- snip -------------------------

What should I do with a hatch that is leaking? Even with new rubbers, the
Lewmar hatch that came with my Oceanis 351 continues to leak.


Sue & Larry respond:
Sorry to hear about the leaking hatch. We had a Lewmar hatch on a previous
boat that leaked also. It turned out that for us the problem was not the
rubber seal around the opening part either. When the hatch was installed at
the factory, an insufficient amount of sealant was used to bed it, or the
tension was not correctly applied to the fasteners.

In either case, the fix is to completely remove your hatch, scrape away the
old sealant and wipe the area with acetone to ensure a clean bonding
surface. Clean the hatch frame in a similar manner. Then liberally apply new
sealant (3M's 101 or Sikaflex 291 work well) to the cabinhouse area beneath
the hatch frame. You want enough sealant so that it oozes out around the
entire frame as you begin tightening the fasteners. Each fastener should
also have the threads coated with sealant prior to insertion. Tighten with
enough pressure so that your sealant oozes out leaving no gaps or air holes.
Make sure you don't over tighten though, or you will squeeze out all the
sealant and that will eventually lead to more leaks.

---------------- end of snip---------------------------



Is this the way to go? Reason I ask is that there seems to be a foam-type
gasket installed between the hatch and the deck... do I need to replace
that? Or is that what causes the leak?



CVJ

I'd go with the sealant and as the instructions below state, use plenty. I
wouldn't crank the fasteners down tight until the sealant has a chance to
cure because this will force most of the sealant out from under the hatch
base. After the sealant cures, hold the screws in place while tightening the
nuts from below, as you don't want to break the bond of the sealant on the
screws.

"cvj" wrote in message
. ..
I have a problem with a leaky GEBO Hatch (Standard Deckhatch with flange).

I found the following suggested fix on the web:
------------------- snip -------------------------

What should I do with a hatch that is leaking? Even with new rubbers, the
Lewmar hatch that came with my Oceanis 351 continues to leak.


Sue & Larry respond:
Sorry to hear about the leaking hatch. We had a Lewmar hatch on a previous
boat that leaked also. It turned out that for us the problem was not the
rubber seal around the opening part either. When the hatch was installed
at
the factory, an insufficient amount of sealant was used to bed it, or the
tension was not correctly applied to the fasteners.

In either case, the fix is to completely remove your hatch, scrape away
the
old sealant and wipe the area with acetone to ensure a clean bonding
surface. Clean the hatch frame in a similar manner. Then liberally apply
new
sealant (3M's 101 or Sikaflex 291 work well) to the cabinhouse area
beneath
the hatch frame. You want enough sealant so that it oozes out around the
entire frame as you begin tightening the fasteners. Each fastener should
also have the threads coated with sealant prior to insertion. Tighten with
enough pressure so that your sealant oozes out leaving no gaps or air
holes.
Make sure you don't over tighten though, or you will squeeze out all the
sealant and that will eventually lead to more leaks.

---------------- end of snip---------------------------



Is this the way to go? Reason I ask is that there seems to be a foam-type
gasket installed between the hatch and the deck... do I need to replace
that? Or is that what causes the leak?



CVJ