Fuzzy forward hatch

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SFBaysailor
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:12 am

Fuzzy forward hatch

Post by SFBaysailor »

Well, we finally got down to Broad Reacher, our new-to-us 28 CK (#4!) and started taking off 10+ years of bird droppings, dirt, and dust. I was actually very pleasantly surprised by the condition of the gelcoat under the 'protective' guano layer...

Anyway, while scrubbing the forward hatch, which is a yellow-ish translucent affair (matches the companionway 2-piece slider) I noticed that the surface was 'furry'. I thought it was the remnants of an old decal, but once it dried I realized it was fiberglass. The hatch seems to have it's integrity, and there aren't any cracks (definitely crazing, though), so my idea is to just lay down a couple coats of epoxy to encapsulate the glass. Any issues with this plan?

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drcscruggs
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2018 3:06 pm
Location: Galveston, Texas

Re: Fuzzy forward hatch

Post by drcscruggs »

I think that would work. I have done some work with West system and mostly happy with it. You might consider painting to protect the fiberglass work. I have seen some deterioration over time without the protective coating of something. I am not a fiberglass expert just a boater with a little experience. It would not cost a lot either. Best.

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bbarnewolt
Posts: 46
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 12:10 pm
Location: Mattapoisett, MA

Re: Fuzzy forward hatch

Post by bbarnewolt »

My understanding is that epoxy does not have a lot of UV stability and so an unprotected layer of epoxy might look good at first, but eventually yellow and crack from UV degradation. Assuming your "fuzz" is on the exterior of the hatch.
Good luck.
Brien
1988 F36/38
Mattapoisett, MA

SFBaysailor
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:12 am

Re: Fuzzy forward hatch

Post by SFBaysailor »

Yep-the fuzz is on the outside.

Were the hatches on these boats left un-Gel Coated? I’m assuming it’s to allow some light through. The companionway slider is the same finish, but is in much better shape.

I’m thinking I might just pull it off and run it down to TAP Plastics for their take on it.

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seadago
Posts: 154
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:42 am
Location: Lowestoft, England

Re: Fuzzy forward hatch

Post by seadago »

SFBaysailor wrote:Well, we finally got down to Broad Reacher, our new-to-us 28 CK (#4!) and started taking off 10+ years of bird droppings, dirt, and dust. I was actually very pleasantly surprised by the condition of the gelcoat under the 'protective' guano layer...

Anyway, while scrubbing the forward hatch, which is a yellow-ish translucent affair (matches the companionway 2-piece slider) I noticed that the surface was 'furry'. I thought it was the remnants of an old decal, but once it dried I realized it was fiberglass. The hatch seems to have it's integrity, and there aren't any cracks (definitely crazing, though), so my idea is to just lay down a couple coats of epoxy to encapsulate the glass. Any issues with this plan?
Timely thread! I have to do the same on my UK-built 28 CK. Hatch frame is also fiberglass, and is showing the glass fiber. If it ever had a coating, it long lost it. On the inside of the cabin, around the hatch whole, there is a one-piece fbg coving which can be removed. It looks more like a finishing/aesthetic element, rather than structural. However, that coving is shandwiched between the inner lip of the hatch frame and the edge of the hatch hole on the roof. This "lip" seems to be plastic, not fbg.

If I'm going to recicle the thing, I need to remove it, repair dents and scratches, sand it, epoxi coat/paint it, replace the crazzed plexiglass window on top, replace rubber seals -if I can find them!!- and refit it. It just seemed an awfull lot of work for a recicling job. Not to mentioned that I may very well damage it irretrievably in the process of removing it.

Question is, has anyone had to do the same thing, and if so, what model hatch was a good fit for that opening? I'd rather not be in that situation of having to have something made to measure.

Thanks!!
Rafael
s/v Nausikaa
SSR 30570, sail GBR 4619L
F30 CK (Hoyt), wishbones, centreboard, G10 rig. Built by Fairways Marine, Humble, UK, '82
Beta 16 hp with two-blade prop

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Ereiss
Posts: 354
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:32 pm

Re: Fuzzy forward hatch

Post by Ereiss »

Select Plastics in Norwalk CT rebuilds hatches. About half the cost of new. Did a great job on my main saloon hatch.
Ed Reiss
Being There
F38 - #154
out of Marion, MA

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seadago
Posts: 154
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:42 am
Location: Lowestoft, England

Re: Fuzzy forward hatch

Post by seadago »

Ereiss wrote:Select Plastics in Norwalk CT rebuilds hatches. About half the cost of new. Did a great job on my main saloon hatch.
Thanks Ed!
Rafael
s/v Nausikaa
SSR 30570, sail GBR 4619L
F30 CK (Hoyt), wishbones, centreboard, G10 rig. Built by Fairways Marine, Humble, UK, '82
Beta 16 hp with two-blade prop

bad
Posts: 184
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:14 am

Re: Fuzzy forward hatch

Post by bad »

We have transparent fiberglass hatches that are now 40 years old... kinda yellow but let plenty of light in. I would not re-coat with an ordinary or really any epoxy product since they are not UV resistant. Possibly sand down then coat with polyester again.

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