Newsky":b3m3zdi2 said:
I really appreciate the insight and experience shared. I live in Alaska so not so concerned about burning feet on aluminum hatches if you follow. My wife would find that concern funny. :? Appreciate the comment about replacing the seals....., have considered that and may do that depending upon how fast I get the new hatches. This is the one area, though, as you all know where I hope to keep things completely dry. I'm a relatively new owner and have been following some of the glitchy issues of this boat, but I have to tell you that this site and everyone's combined experience makes new boat ownership so much more enjoyable.
Send me a PM or Email and I’ll give you my address and phone number if you’d like to come by the house and look at what I did to waterproof my Laz hatches, I live in Mid Town Anchorage.
The modification is not perfect, I don’t think they make a hinged floor hatch that’s going to be absolutely water tight, especially when you accesses them on a regular basses. Stuff gets between the hatch cover and seals and when you open the hatch this stuff compromises the integrity of the seals.
You need to eliminate any space for stuff to accumulate around the catch cover and seals, that’s essentially what it did. Also, like others have pointed out you’ll need to attach a stiffener of some kind to the underside of the hatch; I used aluminum angle attached with flathead machine screws sealed with 5200.
In a nutshell I filled all the space with silicon than used a release agent on the hatch cover, then closed the hatch and let the silicon cure.
The seals are hollow so you’ll need to blow them out with air to dry the interior and clean everything silicon contacts with acetone; this doesn’t mean you fill the seals with silicon.
Additionally, silicon plumber’s grease adds additional sealing ability when applied around the hatch seal.
All the snaps, railings, screw heads etc. on or around the cockpit have the potential to leak also.
Grated a perfectly dry lazarette is desirable but most likely an inaccessible reality.
You’re more than welcome to come by, I have the whole boat under cover with access and lots of head room, check out the man cave in my album.
