76 Seafari Fwd hatch

[Kahuna]

I have reseated every fastener in the cabin to keep water out so I could put in the new cushions. I have not had the opportunity to give it a good 'hose test' yet, but I had it out friday and over the weekend, taken a fair amount of spray, and have had no problem. It poured this afternoon, and once it finished I ran out real quick to check teh cabin (the rain velocity was better than any hose test). Fair amount of water by the forward hatch. Enough that if I was camping out, it would more than ruin the evening.... I checked the fasteners, they seemed to be dry, but I did get a little moisture from around the hatch lip. Has anybody found a quality gasket material for the forward hatch? Thanks for the help.

[rhody98]

Kahuna - I can't answer the gasket question but I am going through same exercise now on my Seafari. Recently out in the chop and noticed it was wet atop the aft part of the berths. Have not determined source yet but I will do the hose test. Certainly getting some in the hatch and if elsewhere I will have to hunt down. I already have new cushions so I better get to work. If I come across suitable gasket will post info, if you find it first let us know.

[76Red18]

Check the hull/cap joint under the rub rail. Spray water upwards between hull and rub rail. My cc was leaking quit a bit at that joint.

[rhody98]

Red, I suspect that may be my problem based on where I see the water. Did you rebed fasteners or more substantial fix along the joint?

[76Red18]

Removed the rail and filled every hole and joint with 5200. I think it was the joint that was leaking. I attached a new rail putting the screws in different places sealing them with 5200. If i ever rebuild, I'll probably glass every joint on the boat. A couple people have done this and havent reported any stress crack or other issues.

[Kahuna]

red,
the water indication was exactly centerline. Last winter I pulled the rubrail and recaulked with 5200 as well and caulked the interior cap to hull joint with GE silicone II. I had a pretty lumpy ride home the other night across LI sound and no problems. The water in question was fresh (always taste it) and after thta rain storm. No indications after that ride across.

I will check out that gasket material at WM and see how it looks. I agree, the trick is going to be getting the joints in the material water tight. Probably use the GE silicone II again. Pretty durable material.

Rhody, you have a seafari? not a sceptre with no windshield removed and a custom hardtop w/curtains?

I drive by one every morning on the way to work, and one of these days I'm going to stop by and take a good close look at it.

thanks for the input everybody

[BigLew]

I know that West Marine carries a gasket material that should work. It is a hollow "HOSE" made of a foam material similar to neoprene- heck it probably is neoprene. It has a adhesive strip running down the outside inorder to attach it to the hatch. This will probably need some fortification for durability purposes, but should work resonably well. The tricky part will be forming a water tight connection where the two ends of the gasket butt together.

Good luck.

[fdheld34]

If you havent discovered a gasket material for your hatch, look at JC Whitney automobile Catalog..jcwhitney.com....look for trunk weatherstripping..you might be able to find something that works!!!!! and there will already be a cut in the gasket to accept either the hatch edge or opening edge..then get you some waterproof weatherstriping glue....just an idea..plus many different profiles that might work perfectly.

[Bigshrimpin]

I get the same hatch leak on my seafari. It wasn't an issue in Sacramento cause there is no rain from April - October.

[rhody98]

Appears I have a "shag" gasket. Anybody familiar with these?

By the way, a bit off topic but do other Seafari owner's with the shag interior intact have flashbacks of your buddies '70's Ford Econoline from high school days and the odor of spilled beer? Just wonderin'