[C320-list] Sliding companionway hatch

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

Has anyone replaced their plexiglass sliding companionway hatch? Mine has a crack in it, and Catalina has not responded to my requests for making a replacement.

My initial measurements have it at 36 and 3/8 inches wide and 29.5 inches front to back in 1/2 inch smoked acrylic, although this was done without unscrewing the hood that it slides under. Before I start taking it apart, I thought I would ask whether anyone had done the measurements.

Currently, I'm trying to talk a local shop into ordering the piece for me from a fabricator. Half-inch acrylic apparently is too thick for the locals to handle. Anyone have a different recommendation?

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.

[Mark Seyler via C320-list]

I replaced my companionway hatch cover for the same reason 2 years ago. I
was able to talk the yard into ordering a sheet of 1/2 inch smoked acrylic,
and selling me half. My recollection is that I was able to cut it with a
fine tooth blade on a circular saw. (Jigsaws have a tendency to melt the
plastic unless you cut slowly and let the blade cool from time to time.)

My original companionway cover had two grooves running fore and aft on the
underside, about an inch and a half in from each side of the cover. I
didn't have a way to duplicate them, but I haven't noticed any problems from
not having those grooves. The original also had two scallops cut into the
front edge of the cover. I didn't duplicate those, but haven't noticed any
problems from that either.

I didn't need to take off the sea hood to get the old hatch cover out. I
believe I had to remove the teak rails on either side of the companionway to
slide the cover aft and out from under the sea hood. I re-used the original
end piece on the edge of the cover facing the cockpit, and the wooden bar
that enables you to slide the cover from inside. I used the old cover as a
template to locate the screw holes for those pieces.

It wasn't a bad DIY job, although the material was expensive as heck. Good
luck with it.

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

Hi David:

Thanks for the response. I hope Mark is right. I definitely don't want to uninstall the traveler. I'll be checking Mark's tip tomorrow.

The good news on the other hatches is that Catalina Direct sells replacement lenses. Not cheap, but also not that difficult to do. I would replace rather the rebed the old one. These lenses don't last forever in the UV.

Use a scraper to take the old ones off and clean the frame with rubbing alcohol. I used Sikaflex 795 for bonding the lenses. Tape the frame. And, if remember correctly, you leave the peelable paper on the lens until you apply the 795, then peel it off carefully while the sealant is still sticky. Soaking the paper in the center allows you to start there.

If memory serves, you want to stay away from acetone and similar solvents with acrylic. I seem to remember a warning that they can cause damage.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.

________________________________
From: David Dines
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 6:02 PM
To: mse...@cox.net; jackbre...@outlook.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Sliding companionway hatch

Hi Jack and Mark,

I am a member of the C-320 group and get the emails, but none of my responses show up in the feed - thus my direct email.

I replaced my sliding hatch last winter and it was a major chore because I could not find a way to remove the hatch without removing the hood. In order to remove the hood I had to remove the traveller, which was installed with large stainless bolts. The problem was that galvanic corrosion essentially fused the bolts to the bar. I was trying to avoid drilling them out, I was able to remove 2 of them with a mechanics impact gun with an extra large slotted and a #4 phillips. I drilled the other 2 and used a long punch to get them out. All in all, it took weeks and it almost did not get finished for the season.

Anyway, I am very interested in how Mark was able to remove the slider without removing the hood. So please let me know what I missed!

I was fortunate to find a local glass place that fabricated it for me so I did not have to do any large cuts, but I did drill holes for the wood pieces (1 edge and 1 stop for the aft, and 1 stop for the forward section). I did not ask the shop to duplicate the grooves since they seemed unnecessary. I did not have scallops to duplicate.

I am very happy with the result as the previous piece of plexiglass was constantly developing new cracks. FYI, my mid hatch cracked and is now leaking, and the front hatch needs rebedding.

Feel free to call, text or email if you want to compare more notes. 978-387-5841

David Dines
“Teal Heron”
94 C320 #144
Beverly, MA

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

Jack

If I were faced with this project I would order the cast acrylic from
estreet plastics. Cut the acrylic on a table saw with a 50 tooth or
greater blade and then heat polish with a propane torch.

If any of those things are beyond skill level. You can also ask them for
a quote to do the whole job.

Make sure you are ordering cast acrylic, thats what you want for hatches
etc.

https://www.estreetplastics.com/Gray-Smoked-Plexiglass-Acrylic-2064-1-2-p/x-t80500.htm


Regards
Troy Dunn
Hull #514

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Mark-
It is good for you to report the ease in replacing your hatch. Mine is badly crazed and i know it eventually will need replaced if not just for aesthetics.  I suspected i could pull it out without removing the sea hood because i can start to pull it past the rear stop easily.  I don't perceive that there are any fore to aft side underside grooves.  Lacking these I have never had leaks. 
Thanks,Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Tue, Oct 22, 2024 at 5:40 PM, Mark Seyler via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: I replaced my companionway hatch cover for the same reason 2 years ago.  I

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

Jack our emails crossed. You are correct, you do not want to use solvents
around acrylics. It will cause crazing of the acrylic. And yes I do mean
near, not just on. Soap and water for cleaning the lenses is the way to
go.

Troy

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

Thanks, Troy. That-s a good recommendation. I think I will ask for a cut piece where ever I go because I don't trust myself on expensive detail work.

Jack Brennan



Sent via the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Troy Dunn via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Date: 10/22/24 7:16 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: C320...@catalina320.com
Cc: Troy Dunn <troutw...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Sliding companionway hatch

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

I think there’s an article or email floating around on removing and
rebedding the seahood. I'm pretty sure you do NOT have to remove the
traveler. I’ll try to see if I can find the article.

Troy

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

No article but…proof it can be done…

https://c320.org/mediagallery/media.php?s=20190502194248104&query=Seahood

[Jeff Hare via C320-list]

Jack, You're so close to the Catalina factory!  Drive over on Wednesday before 4pm.  Warren Pandy gives the factory tour to whoever shows up then.  You can meet him and discuss the problem and hopefully get all the answers you need.Fun tour of you're interested in how they make boats.  We went on the tour last spring and meet some cool people and had fun.Jeff
-------- Original message --------From: Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> Date: 10/22/24 4:26 PM (GMT-05:00) To: C320...@catalina320.com Cc: Jack Brennan <jackbre...@outlook.com> Subject: [C320-list] Sliding companionway hatch Has anyone replaced their plexiglass sliding companionway hatch? Mine has a crack in it, and Catalina has not responded to my requests for making a replacement.My initial measurements have it at 36 and 3/8 inches wide and 29.5 inches front to back in 1/2 inch smoked acrylic, although this was done without unscrewing the hood that it slides under. Before I start taking it apart, I thought I would ask whether anyone had done the measurements.Currently, I'm trying to talk a local shop into ordering the piece for me from a fabricator. Half-inch acrylic apparently is too thick for the locals to handle. Anyone have a different recommendation?Jack BrennanSonas, 1998 Catalina 320Tierra Verde, Fl.

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Try Cesany Plastics http://yachtwindows.com/cesany/
I bought a cast acrylic replacement lens from them via ebay for my mid cabin hatch at much better price than anywhere else. They say they can provide anything.

Dave Hupe
1994  C320 #32


Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Tue, Oct 22, 2024 at 4:26 PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: Has anyone replaced their plexiglass sliding companionway hatch? Mine has a crack in it, and Catalina has not responded to my requests for making a replacement.

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

Hi Jeff:

I've been pestering them to no avail. They don't answer the phone, requesting an email. Then the email goes unanswered.

Kind of disappointed. Catalina used to be very helpful.

Jack Brennan




Sent via the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone



-------- Original message --------
From: Jeff Hare via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Date: 10/22/24 8:21 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: C320...@Catalina320.com
Cc: Jeff Hare <Cata...@thehares.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Sliding companionway hatch

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

So I suppose the designs and installation methods changed over the years on these sliding companionway hatches.

What I noticed first was that someone sealed the hood over the hatch with either 4200 and an extremely strong adhesive sealant. Really, with nine long screws, all that was needed was some caulk.

I did not take off the hood because it would have required four or five hours of chiseling to break the bond and who knows how many hours to clean it up.

Instead, I removed the hood screws and pried under the hood to get it to lift a little bit. The preventer that keeps the hatch from sliding out was a thin piece of wood attached at the end of the hatch with four screws.

The only way to get the hatch out was with brute force. I pulled the sliding hatch forward until the preventer was wedged between the hood and the deck. Then I yanked several times, as hard as I could, and the sliding hatch came out with only two small nicks on the hood.

For the record, the piece of cast acrylic was 27 and 5/8 inches by 36 and 3/8 inches. It is half an inch thick and smoked/gray.

The local glass shop never called me back, so I've asked for quotes from estreetplatics and yachtwindows. I'll post whatever quotes I get.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 8:24 PM
To: C320...@Catalina320.com <C320...@Catalina320.com>
Cc: Jack Brennan <jackbre...@outlook.com>

Subject: Re: [C320-list] Sliding companionway hatch

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

Still waiting for quotes from the acrylic people, but a thought popped into my brain. I'd like some opinions on whether this is a good or bad idea.

In Florida, the problem is always too much sun. Having a sliding hatch that lets in more light isn't necessarily a plus. (I have shades on all ports and reflective inserts that go between the opening hatches and mosquito netting I installed.)

So what about cutting a sliding hatch from half-inch King Starboard? Strong, durable, the white blends in with the rest of the boat.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.






________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>

Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 4:47 PM

[Bill Allen via C320-list]

Hi Jack,

If it’s strong enough on which one can stand, I’d say it’s a great solution. Even here in Michigan that sun gets hot! Worst case scenario is you go back to the acrylic. I’d love to know how it works out if you try it.

Bill Allen
#536 Pegasus (1998)

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 24, 2024, at 4:24 PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> Still waiting for quotes from the acrylic people, but a thought popped into my brain. I'd like some opinions on whether this is a good or bad idea.

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Starboard is definitely strong enough. I don't have experience with it in this specific application, but have a lot of experience with it being used for exhibits where I worked previous to retirement (Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh, PA).

Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Thu, Oct 24, 2024 at 4:24 PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: Still waiting for quotes from the acrylic people, but a thought popped into my brain. I'd like some opinions on whether this is a good or bad idea.

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

Jack-

I'm not a fan of the aesthetic and king starboard is really a mold magnet.
It gets super moldy in a moist environment and is much more difficult to
clean than acrylic or fiberglass. I do know that e-street plastics has a
darker shade of acrylic that you might also consider.

FWIW-

Troy