The rigidity of the collar does provide additional support around the original cut out and also supports the new hatch. Into and attached to this collar is placed the new inspection hatch. This collar has given us a correctly sized round cutout for the new hatch,covers the imperfections of the previous (not round) cut out and strengthens the area in the keel case wall. This collar covers the existing cutout and is attached to the keel case using lots of silicone and 6 self tappers into the existing holes. created a 3cm wide collar from Marine Ply and coated in Northane. back to the idea of the one already in stock.ĭiscovered a Ronstan 530 (Thanks Marg for the number) in the cupboard of preloved boat bits and while the fit was closer the holes still did not line up.(goodness knows what brand the original inspection hatch was) This meant that the gap between the original fit and the new one was going to be too big and as the flange was no wider than the Nairn one I had in stock I was still faced with the lack of support for the outer flange and therefore nothing to attach it to. Purchased a stainless steel assembly which when compared to the 'unused spare' carried on the boat was marginally smaller again than the spare and much heavier. Just an update to the 'repair' of the keel casing hatch. If any reader foresees any difficulties with my repair as planned please feel free to post as all informed info/suggestions are welcome. Now, I will give the area a good clean and roughen up a couple of areas to ensure a good adhesion of some epoxy to fill the old holes, place the new hatch surround in place and back fill (it is only a mill or two around the hatch outer and the cutout in the keel case, lots of marine sealant/marine silicone and cross my fingers. Now I have a brand new SS hatch which is marginally smaller in the surround (where the scews/bolts go through), has lots of thread requiring about 6 full turns to close it up as compared to 21/2 turns on the old one. ie, I chipped a bit off (far too easily) whilst in discussions over the O rings. Yes, the old hatch is still around, although in trying various combinations whilst at a couple of chandlers yesterday it became obvious that the material of the old hatch had begun to deteriorate too. I do not want to go to a larger size as I have this belief that any hole in the hull of the boat is a potential failure point.ĭo I redrill some holes to fit the new hatch and use copius qualitities of sealant to ensure it's water tightness? Suggestions/thoughts welcomed. The new hatch cover doesn't seal on the old 'outer ring' as well as I would like and allows a trickle of water through - the new hatch cover and outer seating being marginally smaller doesn't fit the existing hole as well as I would like. However the outside part, through which it is bolted/screwed to the bulk head is not as wide (by a few millimetres) as the original one. Once off the water I removed the old hatch in order to put in the whole new unit. Once safely moored I removed the old hatch cover and discovered that the inner face where it shapes to screw in had cracked and it was through this that the water entered. towels on the floor mopped up any that got past my makeshift repair. so grabbed the 100 mph tape and placed copius quantities over the hatch, the a wash board was jambed against the area and a brace placed across from the port bunk area to the washboard to ensure it stayed in place and minimise water ingress if the whole lot let go. Now, I do carry a spare hatch and hatchcover but was disinclined to remove the hatch cover and attempt to replace it with the sea that was running at the time. On our most recent trip across Lake King in a reasonable sea and a S/E wind of about 15 kts my crew looked into the boat and said 'do you know we are shipping water through that hatch?" A quick handing over of the tiller and inspection of the said hatch revealed that with each wave a surge of water was entering through the area of the hatch cover. Sonata 7's have an inspection hatch placed into the side of the keel casing in order to check /change the keel cable/tighten the shackle etc etc etc.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |