I have a 1995 440 Sundancer. I...

[Dinghy]

I have a 1995 440 Sundancer. I am suffering with leaking hatches on the bow. What is the best way to resolve this issue?

[wingless]

Is the leak through the seal for the glass or around the hatch frame to deck junction?

[Dinghy]

Not sure about the location of the leak. If it is the seal, how do I correct the problem

[Dinghy]

Or if it’s the hatch frame.

[fwebster]

If the gasket is leaking, you can try adjusting the hatch closure cams. On eith side the lever that dogs the hatch closed has an adjustable cam on the lever. You will need to tighten them in very small increments,

On a 20 year old boat, it is more likely that the hatch is leaking around the seal to the deck. The hatch needs to be carefully removed from the deck, the hatch and gelcoat on the deck cleaned and t he hatch rebedded to the deck.

A word or caution here: The deck on the 440DA is fully cored and if the hatches have been leaking a while, there is a good chance that the core between the deck and headliner is wet and has begin to rot. If that is the case, the coring needs to be removed and the wet area dried out and filled with epoxy of new coring. Removing t he hatch and repairing the core isn't a D-I-Y job unless you have done it before. This one may be best left to the professionals.

[Dinghy]

Thank you. I'll keep you posted.

[Del1]

My 1995 270 Sundancer had the same problem, fortunately it was the hatch seal. I haven't yet sourced a new seal but I did stop the hatch leaking by treating the rubber with petroleum jelly (it was quite dry) and adding an additional self adhesive sealing strip around the hatch. If anyone knows where I can source a new seal for the hatch in the UK, I would be very interested, as I want to make a more permenant repair ready for next season....

[SMT]

SeaRay parts or Flounder Pounder (same company)

[Time_Well_Waste]

This is a common problem. The solution is to pull the hatches and re bed them in 3m 4200.

[Tscannie]

While pulling out and rebedding the hatches is no doubt the proper fix, be very careful removing the hatch. Unfortunately, you can easily damage the fiberglass around it. You Tube makes it look easy, but you may want to have it done professionally.