Hatches on 42i

[wcking]

The forward hatch hinge, the one that holds the hatch in the open position, has separated from the frame. Looks like two small aluminum pop rivets held it in place. The other large hatch in the main salon is starting to work loose too. Has anyone else had this problem, and how would you repair it? Anyone know who makes the deck hatches? Boat is a 2008 42i.

I have had a problem with the smaller hatches as well. The handle is just glued onto the lexan. Two of these have come loose. I repaired the last one using Locktite 401 adhesive and it seems to be holding.

[Seagem]

I believe the hatches are Lewmar hatches. I have not had this problem (yet!) on my 2007 42i. Is it possible to drill out the pop rivets and replace them?

[MalcolmP]

Had a similar issue on my 39i Lewmar fore hatch - the 2 pop rivets sheared - but fortunately the holes were not deformed so I simply pop riveted the bracket back - that was 2 years ago and still fine.

With hindsight it is important to ensure that the friction screws on the hatch prop are not too tight - that is the reason that the pop rivets are strained in the first place. The 2 allen key heads can be adjusted so that the hatch only just stays in the right place - I think then tend to self tighten so causing the initial problem. Not had any issue with the small hatches so far

[j]

Sept 10, 2013 17:41:20 GMT wcking said:

I have had a problem with the smaller hatches as well. The handle is just glued onto the lexan. Two of these have come loose. I repaired the last one using Locktite 401 adhesive and it seems to be holding.

We've had one handle come off too, some goose attempted to close the hatch while a rope was under the lid. I don't think Lewmar used enough glue when assembling it (they actually use a glue/chemical that dissolves the plastic and chemically welds the parts together). We repaired it with some Permatex plastic epoxy and it's still attached after a couple of years.

[Mistroma]

Sept 11, 2013 6:33:57 GMT MalcolmP said:

Had a similar issue on my 39i Lewmar fore hatch - the 2 pop rivets sheared - but fortunately the holes were not deformed so I simply pop riveted the bracket back - that was 2 years ago and still fine.

With hindsight it is important to ensure that the friction screws on the hatch prop are not too tight - that is the reason that the pop rivets are strained in the first place. The 2 allen key heads can be adjusted so that the hatch only just stays in the right place - I think then tend to self tighten so causing the initial problem. Not had any issue with the small hatches so far

I've repaired hinges on forward and saloon hatches and both are still fine after 2 & 3 years. I drilled a hole between the 2 existing holes where the pop-rivets had been fitted. I used a drill which was just big enough to fit a small nut. I'm afraid that I can't remember the sizes but the nut just need to be a little larger than the hole left by the old rivet.

I found it easy enough to use a cable tie end to slide the nut through the new hole and into line with the existing hole. Probably worth using a wire to poke out any excess sealant first. Then I wrapped a set screw in a single layer of PTFE tape before inserting it into the nut and tightening it slightly. You can squeeze in some Araldite once the nut is located and remove the set screw after it has set. Repeat for the other hole and then assemble the hinge.

You can trim the set screws if they are too long Just assemble, measure excess, remove and cut off (after fitting a spare nut to preserve the thread). I seem to remember that there's some mastic filled space behind the holes and this does allow for some extra length on the set screw.