love watching the repair videos too...just like our homes they are always in need of maintenence and it's not just about sailing or lounging in the sun...thanks again for showing us what life is like living on a boat..
Maintenance is an issue with pretty much anything, new or old, including ourselves. Kudos for being thoughtful, and tackling problems head-on. As you've already learned, with the right tools, you can often fix it yourself. Suggested upgrade: air compressor for SCUBA... become your own dive shop!
+S/V AIRPOWER We have a couple of things that have worked against us. The factory used clear silicone which didn't seem to hold up well in heat (this was my second attempt at fixing the leak, I didn't use enough sealant the first time and I think 3M 4000 has worked better than Sikaflex) and our "new" boat amazingly has over 13,000 miles sailed on her already! I think she's entitled to a few bumps and bruises. :)
Nice video. Viewers may also like mention of how you screened off the opening, how you cleaned off the excess adhesive with your (screwdriver?). Is it important to remove all old adhesive? How important is it not put screws in too tight? This was mentioned but isn’t that pretty important?
Highly recommend replacing the sealant with compression gasket like butyl tape. The hatches are secured to deck by the screws, and unfortunately overtime the expansion/contraction cycle of the deck and hatch will likely cause the sealant to fail. Gasket allows movement between surfaces without adhesion to stress the gasket.
Another added protection is use butyl tape at outside edge and sealant on inside. Gives a mechanical protection around rim and a back up sealant protection. Also stops sealant from oozing out
I agree Butyl is the answer. The sealant should have excess oozing out all around. You run the risk of core rot because there is a ga between deck and hatch.
Definitely would reccomend criss-crossing the screws when re-screwing. Otherwise you could push out extra sealant on one side - causing some leaks down the line if you over torque at all.
David, any word from FP WHY they used CLEAR, apparently less effective, sealant? The wife & I were looking at Helia 44's and just curious if they are skimping anywhere else?
+Douglas Montgomery Honestly, I haven't brought it up with them. Pretty much all boat owners we've met have some examples of where a manufacturer could have done a better job, but on the whole, we're pretty happy with the quality of our boat. She's got it where it counts.
Great video guys, you made it look easy to do for someone else to try. Just wondering (as below) is it normal that a boat as new as yours to get leaks so early, although I guess it's not like Starry Horizons has been just sitting in a marina, you're putting a lot of super fun nautical miles on her?
+formerly 987946216430 I expanded a bit more on another comment (silicone from the factory didn't hold up well in heat, I didn't use enough sealant the first time I tried to fix) but you're definitely right, Starry Horizons has not been a Marina Queen! :)
Great Videos but i have two tips: 1. put the sealer on both sides (hatch and deck) to form a two line defense. 2. Put sealer in the screw holes by using a smaller nozzle.
I dont know if you are aware but your title music is also being used by current videos of girls & Guys touching a (Another) mans bits for the first time & others of a similar ilk. Im not a sailor at all but have found your series interesting.
Wow, when you pulled up the hatch sooo easily and there wasn't really any sealant on the fibreglass side is bad news and probably why it leaked. It would seem when they installed the hatch the first time they did not clean with acetone first as there probably was still mold release wax on the surface causing the sealant not to stick properly and therefore eventually leak. There should have been sealant on both surfaces and the sealant itself would normally be shredded rather than just staying in tact on the aluminum surface. What you do want is to make sure you have squeeze out all around. If not you can never be sure how well it has spread inside. Notice that the aluminum is not a flat surface but rather a channel. The is why it is doubly important to see the squeeze out all around.
+TVCanT I probably should have mentioned this in the video, but what you're seeing is actually my second attempt at rebedding this hatch. My first attempt was my first time ever and I didn't use nearly enough sealant, as you can see. The reason it leaked the first time was the factory used silicone, which I understand isn't supposed to be used as a sealant. Ever since learning my lesson, I've done much better about using plenty of sealant!
love watching the repair videos too...just like our homes they are always in need of maintenence and it's not just about sailing or lounging in the sun...thanks again for showing us what life is like living on a boat..
+billyl allen Glad you're enjoying them. Hopefully, I can keep showing a (slightly more) balanced view of this lifestyle.
Nicely done young man .I have a brand new boat with a hatch leak but first I will try to silicone the screws to avoid the extra work.
Maintenance is an issue with pretty much anything, new or old, including ourselves. Kudos for being thoughtful, and tackling problems head-on. As you've already learned, with the right tools, you can often fix it yourself. Suggested upgrade: air compressor for SCUBA... become your own dive shop!
+Michael Hanson It can be very satisfying to complete a project, that's for sure! And I will admit, an air compressor is very tempting!
+Out Chasing Stars Watermaker vs. air compressor would be a tough choice for me.
New boat already has hatch leaks? Bummer...Love your videos guys. Beautiful boat!
+S/V AIRPOWER We have a couple of things that have worked against us. The factory used clear silicone which didn't seem to hold up well in heat (this was my second attempt at fixing the leak, I didn't use enough sealant the first time and I think 3M 4000 has worked better than Sikaflex) and our "new" boat amazingly has over 13,000 miles sailed on her already! I think she's entitled to a few bumps and bruises. :)
Nice video. Viewers may also like mention of how you screened off the opening, how you cleaned off the excess adhesive with your (screwdriver?). Is it important to remove all old adhesive? How important is it not put screws in too tight? This was mentioned but isn’t that pretty important?
Got new glass coming for my hatch’s. Be doing some work like that soon.
Highly recommend replacing the sealant with compression gasket like butyl tape. The hatches are secured to deck by the screws, and unfortunately overtime the expansion/contraction cycle of the deck and hatch will likely cause the sealant to fail. Gasket allows movement between surfaces without adhesion to stress the gasket.
Another added protection is use butyl tape at outside edge and sealant on inside. Gives a mechanical protection around rim and a back up sealant protection. Also stops sealant from oozing out
Add comings and use machine screws with washers underneath. Keeps water from sloshing in and. The hatch won’t blow off wit a boarding wave.
Thank you for the video. Rudy.
I agree Butyl is the answer. The sealant should have excess oozing out all around. You run the risk of core rot because there is a ga between deck and hatch.
Definitely would reccomend criss-crossing the screws when re-screwing. Otherwise you could push out extra sealant on one side - causing some leaks down the line if you over torque at all.
David, any word from FP WHY they used CLEAR, apparently less effective, sealant? The wife & I were looking at Helia 44's and just curious if they are skimping anywhere else?
+Douglas Montgomery Honestly, I haven't brought it up with them. Pretty much all boat owners we've met have some examples of where a manufacturer could have done a better job, but on the whole, we're pretty happy with the quality of our boat. She's got it where it counts.
Well done.
Thanks!
good one, thanks
Great video guys, you made it look easy to do for someone else to try. Just wondering (as below) is it normal that a boat as new as yours to get leaks so early, although I guess it's not like Starry Horizons has been just sitting in a marina, you're putting a lot of super fun nautical miles on her?
+formerly 987946216430 I expanded a bit more on another comment (silicone from the factory didn't hold up well in heat, I didn't use enough sealant the first time I tried to fix) but you're definitely right, Starry Horizons has not been a Marina Queen! :)
Great Videos but i have two tips:
1. put the sealer on both sides (hatch and deck) to form a two line defense.
2. Put sealer in the screw holes by using a smaller nozzle.
+shai rachmani Thanks for the tips. If the hatch leaks again, I may just give them a try.
I dont know if you are aware but your title music is also being used by current videos of girls & Guys touching a (Another) mans bits for the first time & others of a similar ilk.
Im not a sailor at all but have found your series interesting.
+Bob Mullins Ahh, the internet... Glad you're enjoying our videos!
@bob, interesting, how do you know?
good job
Thanks Alan!
Wow, when you pulled up the hatch sooo easily and there wasn't really any sealant on the fibreglass side is bad news and probably why it leaked. It would seem when they installed the hatch the first time they did not clean with acetone first as there probably was still mold release wax on the surface causing the sealant not to stick properly and therefore eventually leak. There should have been sealant on both surfaces and the sealant itself would normally be shredded rather than just staying in tact on the aluminum surface. What you do want is to make sure you have squeeze out all around. If not you can never be sure how well it has spread inside. Notice that the aluminum is not a flat surface but rather a channel. The is why it is doubly important to see the squeeze out all around.
+TVCanT I probably should have mentioned this in the video, but what you're seeing is actually my second attempt at rebedding this hatch. My first attempt was my first time ever and I didn't use nearly enough sealant, as you can see. The reason it leaked the first time was the factory used silicone, which I understand isn't supposed to be used as a sealant.
Ever since learning my lesson, I've done much better about using plenty of sealant!
Good Job!Great boat...But I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. :)
Thanks! We do enjoy the boat we have!
I'd consider Butyl Tape next time if the other sealant doesn't work.
+S/V AIRPOWER Thanks for the suggestion! I've heard of using Butyl Tape, but now that I used enough sealant, the 3M 4000 is holding up well.
Butyl tape is great, but you would have to through-bolt the hatch.
I reckon butyl tape is the go