Chip & Debbie Willis on s\v Elegant'sea: Last hatch installed! - Stateroom Bomar - Pompanettellc Hatch install

On Saturday it rained all morning so we were thinking of abandoning the Bomar - Pompanettellc Hatch install.

2010 - Marina Cortez San Diego, CA

We decided we could not because it is or was a two day project and we did not see another two day block of time anytime soon. The other three 20x20 hatches we did we did with 3M 101 and it takes 24 hours to set up. SO that meant you installed the hatch and waited till the next day then used lacquer thinner to clean it up as it was just right for cleanup. We did not realize that the 3M 4000 UV Marine Adhesive which we used this time on the last 20x20 hatch sets up quick! So that is why it was a two day window of time. Remember they do not make 3M 101 any more so that’s why we had to switch. We also like it to setup before before hitting the drift pins with the hammer.

Debbie first prepped the area as we learned that the stuff goes everywhere

The old plywood cover we used while the hatch was out

Yikes! empty hole over the bed

So the next day (Sunday) Debbie went to clean up the 3M 4000 UV Marine Adhesive and it was all setup! It will be more difficult to clean it up now but it still can be done. We do after all have forever to do the cleanup.

So first we put 3M 4000 UV Marine Adhesive on the underside of the hatch.

Then we spread it out.

Then we put the gasket on the hatch.

Then we put more 3M 4000 UV Marine Adhesive on the gasket and spread it out.

Then we put 3M 4000 UV Marine Adhesive on the deck around the hatch are and spread it around.

Then we inserted the hatch.

Debbie had previously marked all the screw holes on a piece of paper when she took out the screws. That way we knew which ones were long ones and which were short. As it was we ended up putting a couple of long ones in the short spots as we had a few spinners.

We put a little 3M 4000 UV Marine Adhesive around the top of each screw before screwing them in to hand tight.

We did them on opposite sides as you would torque down the head on a car engine so as to keep it even.

The we clamped the hatch down and tightened more.

Hatch cover sitting on bed all assembled

Then we waited about fifteen minuets and re-tightened. We did this a few times. It lets the hatch settle in.

The we let it sit over knight. We did remove the clamps before going to bed so we could cover the hatch.
We placed the top on the hatch and covered it all with canvas so we could sleep.

The next day we put the drift pins in the hatch lid using lots of oil. We reamed out the holes with a drill bit first to get any excess paint out.

Then Debbie cleaned the groove around the top of the hatch with acetone and put in the new rubber seal.

Debbie went below then and dogged down the hatch so the seal would settle in good and be cemented in tight.

Debbie came back topside and removed the protective covering from the hatch glass. Wala! It is beautiful. Lots of work but each time we did a hatch it sure seems worth it!

Next Debbie will put some 4000 UV around the inside of the hatch where it meets the head liner to fill in any gaps.

Next we install the hard ware, clean it up and put the Sky Shade back up and it is done forever!

We had already made a canvas cover for it. We do take the cover off at say anchor and enjoy the sky especially at night.