Pearson Boats - Common Systems > Ports & Hatches

Deck Hatches

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dooley1:
Has anyone installed new gaskets in their Bomar hatches?  Curious if you used any sealants, adhesives, etc...

GusF16:
I'm awaiting a reply from pompanette; meanwhile, what is the thickness of the lexan for the hatches? 3/8"? I'm refurbishing the hatches and can find all the other info (thanks Ed) and parts, just not sure about thickness.

selene:
Dooley1 - I just replaced the hatch gaskets on mine.  In fact, I replaces the hatch gaskets, opening port gaskets, and rebedded one of the fixed ports!

I bought the new hatch gaskets from Bomar.  These are circular in cross-section, and come with a layer of adhesive; they fit into a semi-circular depression, and the adhesive keeps them there.   You superglue the ends to ensure a continuous strip. 

Unfortunately I can't find my receipt to tell you what length I ordered- probably somewhere on the boat!

Dolce_Vita:

--- Quote from: GusF16 on January 29, 2013, 02:03:27 PM ---I'm awaiting a reply from pompanette; meanwhile, what is the thickness of the lexan for the hatches? 3/8"? I'm refurbishing the hatches and can find all the other info (thanks Ed) and parts, just not sure about thickness.

--- End quote ---

I rebuilt mine last year. The lenses are 3/16" thick Lexan.  Lexan lenses are much thinner than Acrylic ones.  That's why they have the reinforcing bars underneath them.  Although the Lexan is very strong, it will flex when stepped upon if unsupported.  This flexing would cause foreshortening of the lens width and separate the seal at the edge, causing them to leak.

A 3/16" thick lens stands just slightly proud of the lip on the hatch.  This prevents standing water from accumulating on the hatch.

When I ordered my lexan from Mcmaster-Carr, I paid extra and got the UV/Scratch-resistant coating, as Lexan has a tendency to fog with UV exposure.  I then used the old lenses to  create a template out of 3/4" MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard), stuck it onto the Lexan with turner's tape, and used a router with a sharp template bit to cut out the lenses.   For lens bedding, I used Dow Corning 795 which is excellent for this application.

As for the hatch frames themselves, after disassembly, I took them to a custom auto paint shop and had them powder coated.  I expect this will outlast the boat.  If you go for powder coating, be sure to tell the shop to bake them before priming to get them to outgas.  If this is not done, it will produce bubbles in the finished coating, as salt water corrosion causes the frames to become quite porous at the microscopic level.

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