Replacing salon engine hatch on ’77 f36

[Galian]

I need to remove and replace the center cabin top hatch above the salon. It is sunken in, holds water, and leaks. Any suggestions, references, and/or design information would be greatly appreciated.

[prowlersfish]

Can you re-core what you have ? I assume this is a tri-cabin not a F36 conv /sedan ?

[P-Dogg]

I saw a tricab with a skylight for a hatch once. One honkin' piece of plexiglass instead of the opaque hatch. As for replacing what you have, any decent fiberglass place should be able to make a replacement hatch from scratch no problem. Of course if it was me, I'd just make my own.....

[Galian]

Can you re-core what you have ? I assume this is a tri-cabin not a F36 conv /sedan ?

Prowlersfish ~ yes, it is a tri-cabin. (I probably used the wrong type to indicate that she is a 36 foot Trojan) I have never worked with fiberglass before, hence my reaching out for suggestions and references. By re-core, I assume that would entail repairing what I have and that certainly may be the best approach. I have not yet attempted to remove the hatch yet so I am not sure what will be left of the original once I do.

The hatch has been warped since we bought her in 1998 but has been getting worst over time. She has leaked into the cabin before and I has stopped it before by removing some of the exterior caulking and re-caulking the outer rim, and waxing the hatch with many thick coats. That would help for a time and then start leaking again. Last fall after a week of rain it was raining it the cabin. I took the interior liner down to inspect her for the first time and found the hatch to be soaked, pliable, and dripping through everywhere. So I have decided that before I take down the winter wrap, now might be the best time to fix her right.

[Galian]

I saw a tricab with a skylight for a hatch once. One honkin' piece of plexiglass instead of the opaque hatch. As for replacing what you have, any decent fiberglass place should be able to make a replacement hatch from scratch no problem. Of course if it was me, I'd just make my own.....

P-Dog, My wife had suggested replacing the hatch with a skylight and you got a smile and thumbs up when she saw your reply. Again, I have NO idea how I would even start on that path. I have not even heard of a “fiberglass place” before. So I will have to continue searching and asking.

[Big D]

Get it re-cored. Needs to be someone who knows what they are doing as they will need to put the curve back into her to match that of the cabin top so it looks right and sheds water.

[P-Dogg]

Was thinking that a pic would go a long way on this thread.....

[larryeddington]

Might try hunting for a serviceable hatch from a junk tri-cab.

Also I need to know what kind of sealant to use upon reinstall?