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Rain comes through hatch boards

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Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/04/2005 : 14:12:35

Overall, I've been blessed with a dry boat. However, recently I was onboard during a rain storm and noticed that a fair bit of water came through the hatch boards--not between the boards but through the air slots. I'm thinking that I should build some kind of inverse cup thing to keep out the rain. Has anybody else done this? Any ideas on where to get the cup?

Thanks,

Bruce Baker
Falls Church, VA
"Yee Ha" 3573
'83SR/SK

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2005 : 14:53:22

Hi Bruce,

Quite a while ago someone posted a solution to the problem ... 'sorry, I don't remember who to give the credit to.

The idea stuck in my mind 'cause I thought it was a very innovative idea (although I haven't yet tried it). Office supply stores sell plastic "hoppers" for temporarily storing office files ... you've probably seen these things in a doctor's office mounted on the wall (or on the door) outside each exam room. Simply mount the file holder over the louvers, upside down, and that'll keep out the rain, but let the air flow through. You can buy them made from a "smoked" material, and they look pretty cool. I'm sure there aren't any UV inhibitors in them, but they're cheap ... you could easily replace it after the sun has taken its toll.

'Hope that helps ... let us know what you decide to do ... good luck!

BTW, a bimini that overhangs the companionway a bit also helps keep out all but the worst driving rain.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2005 : 15:34:17

The vents on my hatchboard have a stainless steel vent cover mounted above them, similar to these but with longer openings:

My rain problem is the gap between the ends of the highest hatchboard and the fiberglass inner edges of the companionway. Even with the hatch cover pulled closed there is an opening on both sides through which rain has no obstacle. I attempted laying a bead of caulk but the opening is too wide and a big glob of caulk there looks like heck. I haven't noodled out what other fixes there are yet. Don't have a bimini but I believe Buzz is right about that curing much of the problem.

I also discovered this weekend that there is water dripping from the holes where the PO had installed the VHF radio; right at the forward edge of the aft quarter's "ceiling" where I've seen many a radio mounted. Don't know where that water is coming from - guess I need to stick my head up in the access hole and watch during the next rainstorm.

Steve

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2005 : 15:39:49

Steve,

I wonder if you could put some kind of weather stripping or a strip of closed cell foam in the hatch board slot. Maybe that would do the trick.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2005 : 15:44:46

I love my boom tent with snaps, nor rain and no bugs.

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2005 : 16:32:17

That might work Bruce. Not sure if I need to go with something that absorbs the water or repels it. If it repels, I don't want the water just running down to the inside of the boat.

Your cover makes a lot of sense Frank, especially in the absence of a bimini. Is that canvas?

Steve

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2005 : 16:55:43

If you had a scrap piece of Sunbrella, you could simply tuck it above the top hatchboard and drape it over the slits to keep driving rain from splashing into the cabin. Might work.

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georgiaboater
1st Mate

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USA
72 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2005 : 21:05:59

Nice tips.

My water seems to come in on the port side at the aft side window....not sure exact how it gets in..as eerything is pretty covered when I am there.

Suddenly dawned on me we do not have to wait for rain to check for cabin leaks.

If your slip is fortunate enough to have close access to a hydrant..turn garden hose area on the suspected spot..than get in the cabin and look for the leakes.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2005 : 08:29:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Lightnup
 

Your cover makes a lot of sense Frank, especially in the absence of a bimini. Is that canvas?

Steve
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes, it is canvas. It is starting its second full season and is holding up well. I imagine that I will replace it with a sunbrella one when it dies. I really like it, sometimes I leave it on at the slips for extra privacy, I have sailed with it on in cold weather. I do have bungies on the corners now to reduce flopping around. I installed the snaps with a wonderfull ViceGrip tool. Most kits provide an anvil but who want to hammer on their deck and the vicegrip tool allows you to do it in place so the snaps fit perfectly. I also cannot emphasize enough that I did not have a single bug last year. It breathes so ventilation is also great. It protects the teak, keeps the entire hatch area sealed, front and back, keeps deck lines and halyard tails clean.

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