Installed new hatch lid rubber for sealing out the rain etc - 2021

First and, of course, the hard part was the prep. Debbie pulled out all the old rubber and cleaned up the area. Now we were ready to lay in the new rubber. It was fairly easy and we made sure we did not pull it tight especially around the corners. That, I think, is where I went wrong originally.

January 2021 - Anchored in Bahia de Navidad Lagoon

We start at midway on the back of the lid.

Laying the rubber evenly and leaving enough in the corners so it does not pull tight.

The rubber comes with its own adhesive.

I am standing on the Pullman berth here.

Careful around those corners!!

Making the cut.

Then Debbie glued it together with "Super Glue".

"Crazy Glue" in Spanish.

All done.

What we did find is the hatch lid is off center. It is twisted more towards the starboard side so it is not aligned correctly. These are Bomar - Pompanette llc Hatches about 20x20 inside hole, series 100 - size 155. With a little troubleshooting, I found it is a manufacturing defect. You think they would be still under warranty after 40 + years?

You can see the stainless steel screws towards the right (starboard) more than the left.

The lid is crooked.

The hinges of the lid were made differently.

 We are thinking that it originally did not leak so it should not now if we have gotten the rubber seal correct this time. We had pulled out each hatch one by one had them painted white from black, re-bedded them, put in all new stainless steel screws, new hatch glass and caulking and new sealing rubber around the lid. But then two of them leaked after a while. Again I think I put the sealing lid rubber on too tight so it curled up around the corners. Next big rain storm we will find out. Or if we decide to stop in a marina for a day or two we could use a hose but that is not likely until we return for hurricane season in May or June..