companionway squeal

[Fuzzy]

My sliding companionway hatch has a terrible squeal when slid open.
Has anyone fixed this problem?  How hard is it to remove the hatch to
get at the slide to fix it?  I did a search but couldn't find it.  

Thanks
Larry Trumble
Veronica Ann III
1987 #475[/url]

[Stu Jackson]

Search on hatch, both here and on the main website.  Try this for starters.

http://www.c34.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1262&highlight=

[David Sanner]

My hatch would also make a ear piercing squeal when I opened
it quickly... mainly for the last foot or so of travel.

After several attempts I finally got enough (not too much)
lubricant forward along either side where the rails/sides glide.

Ahhh the simple things... not having a boat greet you with
a smack on the ear drums.  

Fixing that and finally replacing the holding tank
vent tube (the source of the odors) makes the
arrival/boarding much more welcoming.

[Ron Hill]

Larry : When that squeal first came 15+ years ago I thought it was a GREAT ANTI- THEFT device, but that tired rapidly!

I first tried a narrow strip of aluminum, but the quiet only lasted a couple of 5 years.  I wanted to get some Teflon, but the price was too expensive.

I finally cut an inch wide, 1/8" thick Lexan (polycarbonate) strip 5 feet long and slid them under each side of the lid and screwed them in place at the companion-way end.  The small flat headed screws that holds each strip, are recessed into each strip and do not get into the way.  This has lasted for about 10 years so far.

That squeal could wake the dead!!  so silence is great.

BTW the companionway lid also slides much easier than ever before.  I can now push the lid open with one finger.  

[captran]

I'm not sure if it's stock or installed by the PO.  There is a plastic tape like substance (about the same width as a roll of scotch tape but thicker,  glued on on both sides of the companionway so there is no fiberglass to fiberglass contact.  I end up re gluing every year or two the ends, but no squeaking.

[Fuzzy]

Thanks for all the replies.  One question still remains however and that
is how to get to the slides to add Teflon or whatever?

[Ron Hill]

Larry : You can remove the entire coach top and glue down the Teflon in the tracks as Randy mentioned; or cut strips of Lexan and slide it under the (in place) hatch and screw it down as I suggested.
Your choice!