18SF Engine well leaky hatch issue
 

Hello fellow seacraft owners.

I was hoping someone could help me find a solution to a problem I'm having regarding the well area in front of the engine of my 1978 18 seacraft. I currently have a TH Marine Desiginger Series Non Latching Hatch that just fits the width of the well but the quality is not good. The latch tha secures the hatch recently snapped off after light use and the hatch never kept the water out even when the latch did work. The small well area makes it difficult to find many options for quality hatches from other manufacturers. It measures 8.5" x 31.5". The current TH hatch measures 7.5" x 14" at the base.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Post a picture You should get lots of help

Ok,let's see if this works

One more try. Sorry it's upside down.

If you can't locate a water proof hatch your size buy one that's a little wider and install. It will also make the bilge area more accessible

I think I have the same hatch. It doesn't seal too well but it doesn't bother me where I located it.
Just my two cents, but I would not put a 31" hatch there.

Best watertight deck plates and hatches available. Check their sizes. Call them. Not sure if maybe two circular ones cut into a new facing piece would work for you?
http://www.armstrongnautical.com/dckplates.htm

Thanks Capt Chuck, I'll check it out. I had the two round ones before but removed them to make more space.

One idea I had was to raise the height of the space in the well to the level of the deck. That way I could use a larger hatch. I'm just not sure how well that would work for water off the deck and through the scuppers.

Look for a "Jim Black" hatch. A CSC member used one of them on their 18 and they have a reputation as a true bullet proof hatch. I intend to put one on my 18 as they have a perfect sized hatch for the limited space available.

This is the one I used on my 18SF.
Jim Black 7x14

http://greatlakesskipper.com/jim-bla...oat-deck-hatch

Has a neoprene seal.
Worked great the first 3 years or so, but the oil/gas/mung that drips out of my old two stroke has started to break it down a bit and now it leaks.
Need to replace the seal.