Sticky Sliding Hatch Cover

[hdevera]

Equilibrium (hull # 1554)and Windsong (hull # 1560)both have sticky hatch covers.  When I attempt to open the hatch from the cockpit, I often have to apply downward pressure and slide the hatch open.  From below, it is open very difficult to get out.  Catalina has denied a problem exists to Windsong owner Jack James.  Do any other owners have a problem similar to what we are experiencing.

[amoreau]

Hi, we had the same problem with our hatch when the boat was new.  The hatch was replaced under warranty.  It was a bear sometimes to open it from down below.  I could never understand how it got that far before being fixed.

[Roc]

From what I understand, the solid plexiglass sliding hatch covers warped by the heat generated from the sun beating down on them.  Catalina changed the design of the sliding hatches which now are made of fiberglass, with a plexiglass insert.  I think this change happened somewhere with the 2001/2002 year.  I have a solid plexiglass hatch, and it seems to be ok so far.  
Roc-

[Jack Hutteball]

I have the same problem with my hatch on Mariah lll hull #1555. Opening from outside is not too much of a problem, but inside can be a bear.  My hatch is the solid fiberglass with the plexiglas insert.  I have noticed that if you pull only on the very left side of the hatch from inside (starboard side of the boat) it opens better.  Pull any other place and it sticks.  Could be a problem in the dark in an emergency.  I assume it is one of the back corners binding on something

[amoreau]

Hi Jack,  Sounds like you got my old hatch.  That's exactly what we had to do.  See if you can get it replaced under warranty.

[vmenasce]

Same problem with our 2001 Mark II, Maple Sugar. We have a fiberglass cover with plexi insert. It really sticks badly. I often have to lean into it with all my weight to get it to move at all.  

[Patroit]

Hi! I have owned our boat since new and the hatch has stuck all the time. I lubricate it   with large amounts of car wax, it helps. It would be nice to know with which hull number it started?
Mine is #1527. What should we do as a group?
Patroit

[sail4dale]

Ditto  Now the plastic rub strip is coming off too

[beang]

Freya (#1476) does not have a sticking hatch problem.  We do have a dodger and receive little direct sunlight on the hatch slide.  Our plastic(?) rub strip did come unglued over time and we did the following:  Removed the dried on adhesive with adhesive remover from the hardware store.  Cleaned the entire area with rubbing alcohol (including the strip).  Masked off the area.  Sprayed both the boat and strip with 3M spray adhesive.  Re-laid the strip and cleaned up any excess spray with an artist’s gum rubber eraser before the glue completely set up.  It’s been close to a year and we still have a tight bond.

[Jack Hutteball]

Seems as though Catalina may have an idea as to what causes the problem if they have replaced hatches in the past.  I am way out of warrenty now, so plan to pull the screws on the cover this spring and see if I can figure out what the cause is and hopefully correct it.  We have a dodger that was installed when we bought the boat new, so I don't think that has anything to do with sunlight etc.

[amoreau]

I agree with Jack.  Our boat was brand new with the hatch sticking.  It was a problem with the hatch rubbing against the boat structure.  The dealer knew it was a problem and he installed the new hatch within a month of delivery.  From what I remember the hatch was warped at the sides.

[Norris Johnson]

I also have a sticking sliding hatch from the day I bought the boat. I couldn't get it fixed because the boat is 100 miles from the dealer. It only sticks in the middle of a sunny, hot summer day. The hatch is scratched from binding on the cover.

[kayadakota]

The "Kaya Dakota" (hull # 1589) also has the problem.  I've cracked the top companion way board twice now applying a great deal of force to open the cover.  The plastic slides keep coming off as well.  Our problem has been from day 1.

[ltower]

Any further advise on a Sticky Sliding Hatch Cover.  My hull 1594 also has a sticky hatch.  I've used silicon lubicant on the side rails and that seemed to help but not cure the problem. 

[Roc]

If you can get some teflon tape, that might help.  A local machine shop may have some.  If you work in a plant, maybe you can ask some of the mechanics.