[Bruce3966]

1. Hatch seal, when I close mine there is about a 1/4" gap between the hatch and the companionway and the hatch really doesn't go over the companionway at all (even to it). A nice rubber flap would be great to keep the rain and mosquitoes out. Ideas?

2. Is there any chance that when a keel boat is on the trailer it just might push the bottom of the boat up a tad--even as small as a 1/8"? I ask because the porta-potti that is stored under the step which is right over the keel and is totally impossible to get out. I got it out once by almost having to use a winch but then played around with it and found out of I leave the lid off (1/8" lid roughly), it fits OK....still a tad sticky but one hard pull and it's out. I then got thinking of possibly the keel is pushing up just a tad and that will go away when launched. Am I nuts in thinking this? If I am nuts then I will tell my wife she will have to go to the bathroom in a skillet because that will fit in the area with ease.

 

[miatapaul]

How about a photo? I am not sure. What kind of boat?

1.) Seems it should pull out past the drop boards, is there something blocking the companionway from sliding all the way?

2.) some trailors have adjustments on the side bunks, or rollers, others don't without a picture it is hard to tell, but if the boat is sagging, you may have bigger issues.

 

[MikeOReilly]

Hi Bruce, I'm not really sure I understand the scenario with #1. Are you saying the companion way's horizontal slide doesn't cover the hatch? And, there is a gap between the drop board(s) and the slide? If so, then a rubber flap might work, but I'd be concerned about this. Why wouldn't the hatch slide all the way? Seems odd. Maybe I'm not understanding it right. Perhaps a picture would help.

For #2, yes a boat on the hard can take on some hull deflections, changing the shape of spaces inside. On our previous boat the head door was either impossible to open, or to close when sitting on the hard. Even with my full-keel current boat I notice some small shifts in things while on the hard. A small shift (mm to cm) is probably OK. If it's more than that, perhaps your stands are taking the weight when it should be the keel? How's it sitting?

Maybe your portapotti issue will go away in the water. Still sounds pretty tight though. Might still have to stick with that skillet .

 

[Bruce3966]

Ya I don'th there is anything wrong with the keel or bottom in anyway. Just think it's a bad design or an after thought by Precision to cram a porta-potti in that cavity. I'll see what happens after I launch.

As far as the hatch goes, I have added 2 a photo. Might be hard to see but the hatch comes totally flush with a gap and the hatch is for sure all the way aft and no obstructions. It's not a big deal..I was just thinking a rubber seal would work great however that means more holes drill which I prefer not to do. A super strong self adhesive rubber strip would be great.

 

[MikeOReilly]

Ya I don'th there is anything wrong with the keel or bottom in anyway. Just think it's a bad design or an after thought by Precision to cram a porta-potti in that cavity. I'll see what happens after I launch.

As far as the hatch goes, I have added 2 a photo. Might be hard to see but the hatch comes totally flush with a gap and the hatch is for sure all the way aft and no obstructions. It's not a big deal..I was just thinking a rubber seal would work great however that means more holes drill which I prefer not to do. A super strong self adhesive rubber strip would be great.

Looks fine to me. That gap might leak a bit, but it's not unusual. You could put a flap over the gap, or can you lift the drop board by a 1/2-cm or so? If you have a dodger it won't be any problem.

 

[Bruce3966]

I'll just rig up a rubber flap somehow. Love putzin' on boats.

 

[miatapaul]

Yea, that does look like a gap, seems the best woudl be to put a rubber strip on the inside lip of the hatch. Likely could be held on by adhesive. May have to be redone every few years though.

 

[Faster]

The hatch gap looks pretty normal to me..

Whether or not the boat is 'hogged' over the keel (on a trailer? or on the hard?) it's certainly possible. if your potty get's 'freed up' when afloat you'll have your answer.