Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: Kevin Henderson on June 04, 2012, 02:06:55 PM

Title: Companion Way Hatch - Vinyl Trim
Post by: Kevin Henderson on June 04, 2012, 02:06:55 PM

This weekend I was down below and because of some cool and windy conditions, had the companionway hatch closed up.  When I slid the hatch back to go to the cockpit it made a "fingernails on a chalkboard"  :shock:  kind of noise that irritated both myself and the Admiral.  Then it occurred to me I had seen something that I think is a vinyl slider for the hatch in Catalina Direct.  Has anybody used this? and is it something that was originally installed and the previous owner of my boat had removed?  On the surface, the slider seems like a good idea and may reduce the friction as it slides back and forth. :abd:

This is what I had seen in Catalina Direct:  Vinyl Trim - Companionway Hatch - 11'

Title: Re: Companion Way Hatch - Vinyl Trim
Post by: Ron Hill on June 04, 2012, 04:04:25 PM
Kevin : You plight is nothing new.  There have been numerous articles and posts on how to tame that squeal!!

I cut some 3/16" thick Lexan 5' - 6' long 1 inch wide.  I slid it in the track between the hatch "ears" and the deck.  I anchored it at the cockpit end with a recessed flat head screw.  No more noise.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Companion Way Hatch - Vinyl Trim
Post by: chuck53 on June 04, 2012, 05:55:02 PM
Ron, I would love to do something like you did because mine really makes a nasty noise.  5/16" sounds awfully thick, I would think 1/8" would be a better fit.  How tight is your hatch with that 5/16?
Who did you get yours from?
Title: Re: Companion Way Hatch - Vinyl Trim
Post by: scotty on June 04, 2012, 09:03:20 PM
Kevin, do you have a TAP Plastics in your area?
Title: Re: Companion Way Hatch - Vinyl Trim
Post by: Michael on June 04, 2012, 10:56:41 PM
Here was our solution:

Supplier:    McMaster-Carr
      Email: cle.sales@mcmaster.com
      Website: www.mcmaster.com
      Phone: 330-995-5500
      Fax: 330-995-9600

Product:   One (1) roll of
      Part number 76445A762
Description: Strong & Slippery UHMW Polyethylene Tape 3/4" Width x 5 yards Length, .0115" total thickness
Unit price: about $6.10
Title: Re: Companion Way Hatch - Vinyl Trim
Post by: Ron Hill on June 05, 2012, 12:55:01 PM
Guys : Sorry I meant 3/16 Lexan.  1/8" might also work.  Do NOT use acrylic as it's too brittle!!

Another item you might try - is look in some woodworking catalogs for strips of "easy glide" material which will also work.
Title: Re: Companion Way Hatch - Vinyl Trim
Post by: tonywright on June 05, 2012, 02:11:50 PM
I got this in Canada, since McMaster won't ship here:

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32182&cat=1,110,43466,32182
(http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32182&cat=1,110,43466,32182)

Works great
Title: Re: Companion Way Hatch - Vinyl Trim
Post by: Stu Jackson on June 05, 2012, 05:22:02 PM
Ron Hill as one of the first skippers to mention this in very early Mainsheet articles.

My solution has to be "ruthless" in keeping that channel clean.  Sometimes I even use more than just water!

There's a post somewhere (I'll find it) that shows a photo of the water running out the forward end of the teak runners.

Your boat, your choice.  :D
Title: Re: Companion Way Hatch - Vinyl Trim
Post by: Kevin Henderson on June 05, 2012, 08:25:25 PM
All sound like good ideas.  I too have tried to keep the channel completely clean and even applied some SailKote to reduce the screeching.  If I lay down a vinyl or lexan strip is there additional concerns for water intrusion or dirt getting underneath?

I would like to find a Home Depot solution if I can.   :abd: