Deck Hatch Removal

[Shacklepin]

I am looking for advice or help in any way.
My 367 Cutter, Ebb Tide is fitted with a boom Vang which obstructs the use of the main cabin Hatch. My intention is to remove the hatch, rotate it 180 degrees then reinstate it so it opens facing aft.
Can any one see any pitfalls with this idea.
The only thing I have done so far is to remove the screws holding the frame to the deck and tried lifting the Hatch out, but I find the frame held fast. My next task is to run a very sharp blade along the narrow gap between the inside of the frame and the roof. there is no such access on the outside. If this doesn't free it I'm at a loss as to how to remove it without damage to the fiberglass. All I've come up with so far is to use a car jack and a prop and push it up from below. What worries me is the effort from the jack is uncontrollable and I might do untold damage to either the Hatch or the cabin roof...................._/)............

[Dale Tanski]

Shacklepin,

The hatch was bedded in silicone from the factory.  Chances are it hasn't been removed before.  Once the screws are out you should be able to tap in a putty knife between the upper flange of the hatch (were the screws were located) and the fiberglass deck curb.  I used two putty knives, one on each corner of one side, pulled them out and went to the opposite side and repeated.  Just keep working your way around the hatch.  That was enough to break the bond on both of mine. 

A jack is a bit of overkill.  They should pull right out.  Good luck.

Dale

[SailingSeaDragon]

Shacklepin

Sea Dragon's hatches were bedded in silicon as well. Below is a link to my rebedding. Be patient when removing the hatches, gelcoat is easily damaged.

http://www.sailingseadragon.com/hatches.htm

Garner

[EdHouston]

Hey Steve just did this in the summer did not rotate as your thinking of doing but did have the frames powder coated nice and black nice and shinny come over take a look I am in WaterFord Harbor now Pier 14 slip 37 your welcome to go down and go aboard any time give me a call & I can meet you down there.

Ed

[Shacklepin]

Gents,
Thank you all very much for your advice. Work has kept me away from Ebb Tide in recent days so there has been no progress.
Thank you Garner, your website is an Aladins cave of useful articles tips and ideas. The photographs you posted are relay helpful in letting me know what I am likely to encounter. It is very suprising to see there is nothing holding the corner screws in place. Did you fill this area or just leave it hollow?
My thanks also to you Ed. I re cal you mentioning your hatches last year but didn't consider doing mine as they are sound. Where did you get them done and was it expensive? The previous abuser of Ebb Tide cut a hole in the main Salon hatch for a solar powered fan which i would like to remove, did you also get them re-glazed? I will get mine coated too as they won't be coming out again in my lifetime.
Thanks also to Dale. The idea of the two putty knives is a good one, I think I will have to chisel them under as the hatch to deck is relay flush. There's room for nothing under that flange.

[Shacklepin]

Thanks for all the advice Guys, The hatch came out a lot easier using the putty knives to break the seal as Dale suggested. Needless to say the Jack wasn't required. Also Garner, your link was very helpful and always makes good reading regardless of the topic. Edd I did pop over and had a quick squint at your hatches they're terrific. My girlfriend loved them so much she wants me to do the same to the Ports as well as the hatches. Might look a bit odd as I've just fitted some new white Beckson's in the V birth. Is there any reason why the aluminium ports are plastic lenses in stead of toughened glass?