Hatch Tape

[arrowskartax9]

Hi Everyone, What is the best Tape to seal the Hatch with???

[Doby]

Electrical tape works fine as all is should be doing is WATERPROOFING the hatch to the hull......not providing the "structural integrety" to hold the hatch to the hull.

There should always be at least two mechanical connections to the hull, via a pin in the front and a latch of some sorts in the back.....thats what keeps the hatch in place...not the tape.

[Fluid]

No hatch tape is perfect. I've had Renfrew hockey tape split along the seam like it was cut with a knife after a bad crash. I've used standard colored 3M electrical tape with few issues for over a decade. Cheap, strong, reusable.



.

[JMSCARD]

I have too used elelctrical tape with great results... even when used to keep the hatch to the boat...lol.... in fact I've had more issues with hockey tape then I have with electrical tape.... and I buy the electrical tape from ace hardware.... .89 cents a roll for black, $1.49 a roll for colors.... but most of my boats do have mechanical connections too.... electrical tape works great..... it tends to lay down better then hockey tape too... less wrinkles...

[arrowskartax9]

Yes i agree electrical tape is realy good but i would like to use a clear tape to seal the hatch.
Any ideas? Maybe 3M have a clear tape.

[JMSCARD]

Yes i agree electrical tape is realy good but i would like to use a clear tape to seal the hatch.
Any ideas? Maybe 3M have a clear tape.

ha ha... hockey tape then...lol... actually if you are looking for the clearest stuff then I would use this...

http://southriverrcboats.com/shop/article_ET-A79/ETTI-Hatch-Tape-Clear-20mm-x-50M.html?shop_param=cid%3D23%26aid%3DET-A79%26

I have and it works great too...

[martin]

I think hockey tape is over rated, Its a very thick tape .006" & where you over lap it on its self in the corners water creeps between the root of the over lap & gradually opens a gap especially if the boat flips over. Hockey tape dosnt go round curves like pvc electrical tape either. One of the best tapes ive recently started useing is Cellotape but not the run of the mill one which comes straight of in water but one called Cellotape Crystal Clear also used to be called Diamond Ultra which it still has printed on the centre reel. This is a water proof Cellotape & is only .001" thick & gives a very good over lap seal in the corners & its pretty sticky as well. But like hockey tape dosnt go round curves. Martin.

[Rumdog]

I love the hockey tape from OSE. I've had different results with different tapes on different surfaces. For me, the hockey tape works best.
You can buy clear electrical from Wal-Mart. It works well too, but for me it's the hockey tape.

[martin]

Ive got various specific tapes sold by these model boat manufacturers & their not as good as the Cellotape waterproof Crystal clear. Also the stuff sold by these boat manufacturers is around 3-4 times the price. Martin.

[m4a1usr]

I love the hockey tape from OSE. I've had different results with different tapes on different surfaces. For me, the hockey tape works best.
You can buy clear electrical from Wal-Mart. It works well too, but for me it's the hockey tape.

I'm with your there. Tried the 3M tapes (they tend to be PVC) and if you stretch them too much while laying down the edges they tend to shrink and become unstuck as the tape and adhiesive contract. The thicker Hockey tape has been far more reliable for my hull sealing as you cant stretch the material. But I do make sure my hulls are very clean. No dust/oil/contamination. YMMV.

John

[FighterCat57]

I use GE or Duck clear vinyl electrical tape. Helps to be able to see the adhesion. Wally world carries it. It's nice to the clear coat and doesn't leave a residue.

[siberianhusky]

HUH? Hockey shin pad tape doesn't stretch? Thats odd I use it twice a week when I lace up the skates and it stretches fine to hold the shin pads in place! It wouldn't work for that if it didn't stretch! You'd cut the circulation to your feet otherwise!
Must be American hockey tape and not the good stuff Canadians demand Or we go through so much it stays nice and fresh.
I do find it doesn't go around curves well because of the thickness and will not stick if the hull isn't clean and dry.
ANd also agree with the overlapping corners, you can see where it doesn't stick down along the edge of the layer beneath.
I buy it 12 rolls at a time for under 10$.
I have yet to find the ideal tape, 3m electrical is about the best of the electrical tape I've tried.
The hockey tape has some serious glue if it were a bit thinner it would be the cats A*s. I use it to tape the lid down on everything that has a square hatch.
Will keep an eye out for the cellotape stuff

[Rumdog]

It stretches when padding up, not when applying to a boat. Thats the key. You're not TRYING to stretch it on your hull. I'm clueless to why you'd be getting leaks at the overlap. I never have.

[Rumdog]

Colored duct tape works the best for sealing, but it can leave residue.

[FighterCat57]

HUH? Hockey shin pad tape doesn't stretch? Thats odd I use it twice a week when I lace up the skates and it stretches fine to hold the shin pads in place! It wouldn't work for that if it didn't stretch! You'd cut the circulation to your feet otherwise!
Must be American hockey tape and not the good stuff Canadians demand Or we go through so much it stays nice and fresh.
I do find it doesn't go around curves well because of the thickness and will not stick if the hull isn't clean and dry.
ANd also agree with the overlapping corners, you can see where it doesn't stick down along the edge of the layer beneath.
I buy it 12 rolls at a time for under 10$.
I have yet to find the ideal tape, 3m electrical is about the best of the electrical tape I've tried.
The hockey tape has some serious glue if it were a bit thinner it would be the cats A*s. I use it to tape the lid down on everything that has a square hatch.
Will keep an eye out for the cellotape stuff

Link? Or PM link?