Hatch "gasket"?

[BHChieftain]

I was bathtub testing my boat to check for water tightness, and discovered that no matter how I tape the hatch, I'll get just a *tad* of water coming thru the tape. The way I figured it out was by putting a thin strip of double-sided tape under the hatch cover to act as a gasket, and then taped it. With the gasket, no water intrusion at all, even when I held the boat underwater.

I'm looking for a material that can serve as a semipermanent gasket-- the doublesided tape is a bit too thick. It needs to have some sort of adhesive property to stay in place. I'm thinking about something like weatherstripping caulk, but I need something that I can peel off to replace it, and soft enough to flex when the hatch is taped down. Any ideas?

-Chief

[Jesse J]

I have had some success with silicone. Lube one part, the hatch typically, and then run a bead of silicone around the opening. Set the hatch down in and let sit overnight. Remove and clean hatch, you may not even need hatch tape if you have some fasteners to hold down hatch. My buddies SV has bobbed for almost an hour upside down without more than a teaspoon collecting.

[bustitup]

I have had some success with silicone. Lube one part, the hatch typically, and then run a bead of silicone around the opening. Set the hatch down in and let sit overnight. Remove and clean hatch, you may not even need hatch tape if you have some fasteners to hold down hatch. My buddies SV has bobbed for almost an hour upside down without more than a teaspoon collecting.

Jesse is right on here with silicone....but instead of putting lube on one side you can lay the bead of silicone down (don't smooth it ... just let it flow out of the nozzle) then lay a layer of serran wrap or some clear sandwich wrap down over the whole hatch opening then lay the hatch down on top of that.....the seran wrap will make the silicone form to the hatch lid and will stop the silicone from sticking to the lid....let it set over night

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.montpelier.k12.nd.us/saran.jpg&imgrefurl=http://classytackystupid.blogspot.com/2007/07/random-rant.html&h=450&w=600&sz=30&tbnid=vLUDXOY_oo36WM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsaran%2Bwrap&hl=en&usg=__iv3D3OEbQrqfAZLOzP4akWSQLck=&ei=WabyS_7GDsH88AaGurTUDQ&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=5&ct=image&ved=0CDEQ9QEwBA

[Raydee]

I have used 3/8" window weather strip with great success in the past.

[BHChieftain]

Brilliant idea lubing or using plastic wrap to mould the fit!
-Chief

[domwilson]

I have used 3/8" window weather strip with great success in the past.

On one of my boats I use the same thing. But only because I can as the hatch has lock nuts. But for most, it's the tape.

[domwilson]

Jesse is right on here with silicone....but instead of putting lube on one side you can lay the bead of silicone down (don't smooth it ... just let it flow out of the nozzle) then lay a layer of serran wrap or some clear sandwich wrap down over the whole hatch opening then lay the hatch down on top of that.....the seran wrap will make the silicone form to the hatch lid and will stop the silicone from sticking to the lid....let it set over night

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...ed=0CDEQ9QEwBA

Great idea! Thanks.

[FighterCat57]

Jesse is right on here with silicone....but instead of putting lube on one side you can lay the bead of silicone down (don't smooth it ... just let it flow out of the nozzle) then lay a layer of serran wrap or some clear sandwich wrap down over the whole hatch opening then lay the hatch down on top of that.....the seran wrap will make the silicone form to the hatch lid and will stop the silicone from sticking to the lid....let it set over night

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...ed=0CDEQ9QEwBA

Yeah, the wrap works much better than the lube... with the lube, it seems there is always some sticking, even through the lube. I've done this method and have had a good amout of success. Still use the tape as there is no latch on that setup.. I've been using the clear GE electrical tape that wally world sells for a couple bucks... been working well. Keeps the cost down on hatch tape.
________
SUZUKI GSX-R600 HISTORY

[Jesse J]

man I totally forgot about the seran wrap... what a mess I could have avoided. Will do the wrap too from now on....

[tanasit]

I used the hatch as the template over the foam mat (kids play on it) and cut to the shape, then cut the inside ring resulting in a 3/8" foam gasket which I glued onto the sill of the hull opening. You may have to shave off the thickness of the ring if the hatch can not press fit. I also added the industrial strength velcro as seen in the attached picture. On the calm day, I don't even need the tape. If the hatch can't seem to go in easily, you may have to bevel the outside edge of the ring. I had to attached 2 screws on the hatch, otherwise I had to pry open the hatch.