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10 Meter hatch leak

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:51 pm
by Wes
Has anyone with 10 meter Internationals had a problem with hatch leaks? I've tried new gaskets and caulk and they still leak. I can use any help or suggestions you might be able to offer.
Thanks.
Wes

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:24 am
by rickalan35
I assume you mean the front deck hatches

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 8:24 am
by Wes
We have 3 since it's a fly bridge aft cabin. 2 on the forward deck and 1 on the aft deck.

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 8:26 am
by RWS
The 10Meter International series had two basic front hatch styles. Earlier units had two large hatches on the front center line.

Hulls built on the mid cabin design had a single large hatch on centerline and two symmertical lexan skylights (I don't know if they are fixed or opening style) close to port & starboard.

I have heard that the mid cabin symmetrical skylights hatches have a tendency to leak, and have to be rebeddded over time, possibly due to shrinking sealant.

My own 25 year old hatches are translucent white lexan and while they don't yet leak, they are scored with crazing cracks and some yellow spots. I have considered either replacing just the lexan and keeping the 25 year old hardware and seals or replacing both complete hatch assemblies with new, modern units combined with intergal sunshades and bug screens.

I'd really like to know how you end up with yours.

RWS

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:33 am
by Wes
Hi RWS,

We have 2 Black poly carbonate hatches on the centerline on the forward deck and 1 on the aft deck. They had a large round gasket that sets into a half round grove under the hatch. My I tried the largest 1/2 round gasket I could find but it didn't work. I'm thinking of filling the grove with a semi hardening caulk and then mounting the gasket on that. Before I try that, I was hoping someone else had solved the problem and could send some advice.

Wes

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:01 am
by wowzer52
I don't know what style hatch you have but in a previous boat I had I chased a hatch leak for several years before finding out that when I closed the hatch I was closing it too tight and warping the O-ring where the handle attached to the glass. From then on I only closed it enough to keep it from coming open and it never leaked again. I hate dribbling in the bed. I mean............ :oops:

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:15 am
by Wes
I wish there were some way to paste an image in these messages. Our hatch is a flat piece of poly carbonate that rests almost fluch with the deck.[/img][/url]

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:43 am
by RWS
Wes,

What year is your hull?

I know my hatches are factory original and I have reason to believe the seals are also factory original.

If you have four turning latches you probably have the factory hatch. The dark lexan makes me think that perhaps the lexan was replaced sometime during the life of the boat.

(Has anyone sver seen factory installed dark lexan hatches?)

Water can come in either around that rubber seal or it can get in between the deck and the frame.

In your case, I would reccomend contacting one of the two TROJAN sources in Lancaster for factory replacement seals if they are still available.

Another thing...... you could tape off the lexan to the frame and then run a strong stream of water at the deck to frame joint to see if that is the source of the leak.

If you decide to replace the lexan alone I'd like to see how you make out as I have considered doing the same vs replacing the entire hatch assembly.

RWS

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:54 am
by Wes
RWS,

It is a 1983. I thought it was a poly carbonate but I'm sure they are the original hatches. It is the 10th of 12 made.

Wes

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:17 am
by RWS
Wes,

We're both 1983 10 meter models

I just measured the hatches.

24" x 24" x 1/2"

translucent white either Polycarb or lexan.

The factory units have threaded fasteners. They ARE NOT throughbolted.

I have seen several that have carriage bolts (or similar) showing through the top and my assumption is that these were custom made, field fit replacements.

Are you going to try the gasket replacement route first, or test the housing to deck seal?

RWS
PS How do you get a photo of your boat on this website?

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:51 am
by Wes
RWS,

The base of ours looks like it is a part of the deck. The (round) gasket fits into the indentation that goes around the hole through the deck. The hatch was held down against the gasket with 4 stainless swivel catches.

There was a fellow who posted the way to get the picture on here a while back and I followed his directions. At my age I can't remember how I did it. There is a link to a free photo site that works here. I'll see if I can find it.

Wes

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:55 am
by Wes
RWS
I found the place to post your picture. It's http://www.flickr.com/tour/. You post the picture on that site and create a link. I believe that's how I did it. Good luck.
Wes

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:58 am
by Wes
RWS
Another place is photobucket.com.
Wes

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:22 pm
by RWS
Thanks Wes.

I got a photo posted.

Looking at the photos of yours now, I can see three portlights.

On a 10 Meter three indicates the express cruiser, and two indicates the mid cabin model.

Keep me in the loop on how you resolve your leak.

RWS

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:23 pm
by Wes
RWS
Those are port holes. I'm talking about the black hatch covers on the deck. On the aft cabin we have 2 forward and 1 aft. I'll let you know how it works out.
Wes