Leaking hatches

[Ufatz]

Like everybody else, I have discovered that the "hatch covers" on my 1750 Crestliner are a joke. They cover, but they do not provide any kind of water protection. I need ideas on what people have used to water proof the hatch covers. I mean...they really are a joke. Almost as funny as the totally unuseable instruments. But of course....I almost forgot to mention the ridiculous "boat cover" that mainly holds in moisture. After every rain my boat, with its hatches closed and its "cover" on is totally soaked, every compartment full of water, and all my stuff sopping wet. What is it about boating in the midwest that I don't understand? Ha! I CAN'T be the only guy going through this?

[Valv]

Which hatch ? Many are not waterproof and don't need to be.

[Ufatz]

Which hatch? Take your pick. There are seven and they all leak. I'll admit it probably doesn't harm the live well.Ha! Is it possible to add gasket to them? I just thought I'd check with you folks before I waste time and money trying to seal them. The way it is all my PFD's, tackle boxes etc. end up sitting in water or soaked after a rain. I am accustomed to large boats with genuine hatches and am really surprised that this boat, admittedly not a "top-of-the-line" boat has such shoddy construction and instrumentation. I won't buy another one, even though I am please with the ride and the Yamaha 115 is a nice piece of machinery. It's my first small freshwater boat and I suspecy I need to look at something else next spring. Ranger maybe?

[jerkin'm]

Why would you want a hatch that isn't waterproof? Isn't that kind of the point of enclosed storage, to be under cover and dry? My buddy has this same boat, same problem, ridiculous....

[Valv]

There are many hatches that are not required, like inspection hatches, etc.

Now if you are talking about dry storage, I agree with you, definitely you need a seal otherwise....no DRY storage.

If you need some sealers I have many rubber type that can be applied around hatches.

Are you sure it's not moisture built up from underneath the cover ? It sounds weird that a cover lets water in it, it doesn't make sense, if boat is new or still in warranty I would contact your dealer.

[Ufatz]

Okay Valve, guess you have answered my question regarding retro-fitting gaskets of some sort.I think rather than run a bead of material I would be inclined to actually cement in place actual door sealing gasket material. Is that what you are referring to?

The cover is a $300 joke that came with the "package." With all the leaking hatches you get moisture into those compartments, damp electrical connections which thus corrode, soggy PFD's and, eventually, odors. Its just a crappy way to build a boat, in my opinion.

[Valv]

Ufat actually what I have is a D shape foam with flat surface self sticking, kinda like car door seals. They are used to apply on underside of aluminum hatches to seal them.

Odd conicindence...they are from Crestliner....