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Current Designs Hatches

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blueswallow

Paddler
Joined
Jul 9, 2012
Messages
49
Just got a 2016 CD Equinox GTS with leaky hatches. Leaking from top, not thru cockpit
The front hatch does not seem to fit well. Decided to take off the rubber weatherstripping as it looked a bit loose anyway. Without that, the hatch fits much better and actually seems dry with the garden hose test!
Can someone tell me if these hatches originally came with this rubber weatherstripping, or someone installed them later? Should I try some thinner weatherstripping or???
Thanks!
 

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blueswallow said:
Just got a 2016 CD Equinox GTS with leaky hatches. Leaking from top, not thru cockpit
The front hatch does not seem to fit well. Decided to take off the rubber weatherstripping as it looked a bit loose anyway. Without that, the hatch fits much better and actually seems dry with the garden hose test!
Can someone tell me if these hatches originally came with this rubber weatherstripping, or someone installed them later? Should I try some thinner weatherstripping or???
Thanks!
Click to expand...
That rubbery weatherstripping was factory installed on all the CD Equinoxesssssssssesssss, Solisticesssssseesss, etc. that I sold when I worked at Ecomarine up until a few years ago. Not sure single thickness weatherstripping of the sort you'd get a yacht shop would seal as well or stay attached to the hatch lips as well, but you could try it. If it doesn't work, perhaps contact Current Designs about where to source more?
 
kayakwriter said:
That rubbery weatherstripping was factory installed on all the CD Equinoxesssssssssesssss, Solisticesssssseesss, etc. that I sold when I worked at Ecomarine up until a few years ago. Not sure single thickness weatherstripping of the sort you'd get a yacht shop would seal as well or stay attached to the hatch lips as well, but you could try it. If it doesn't work, perhaps contact Current Designs about where to source more?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. It seems like the gasket is a bit too big - not sure if has stretched or ?. Thinking of taking a cm or so out at join and resealing, then glueing back on to solid hatch.
If I try this, what would be best adhesive to use. In my collection I have Marine Weld, Lexel, Stone Mason Gutter and Siding, Lepage Marine Epoxy
Thanks!
 
blueswallow said:
Thanks for the info. It seems like the gasket is a bit too big - not sure if has stretched or ?. Thinking of taking a cm or so out at join and resealing, then glueing back on to solid hatch.
If I try this, what would be best adhesive to use. In my collection I have Marine Weld, Lexel, Stone Mason Gutter and Siding, Lepage Marine Epoxy
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Sort of like clamps in the woodworking shop, it's hard to have too many different adhesives. :) 3M makes an adhesive for attaching weatherstripping to cars, so my recommendation would be to visit an auto parts store and get that product.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40069430/
It's expensive wherever you get it; amazon also sells it. It won't seem like a lot of money if you 'make do' with something that fails on a stormy day. Contact cement would probably work, but I'd get 'the real thing'.
Definitely stay away from any 'hard' adhesives like epoxy or methacrylate (sp?) for that job.
 
blueswallow said:
Ok thanks will add it to my collection
How about Aquaseal?
Click to expand...
Aquaseal would probably work, and if you only plan to re-glue a few inches of gasket, the cost would be reasonable . Aquaseal is so expensive that I reserve it for gluing drysuit gaskets, repairs to holes in sprayskirts, etc..
 
Sorry me again.
I am not liking how the hatch with now slighly smaller gasket fits the boat. Decided to try plan B and duct tape some scrap neoprene to rim of hatch. Fits boat much better, and passed aggressive garden hose test!
So now asking what would be best adhesive for neoprene to hatch cover- boat is kevlar but not sure about hatch cover
 
blueswallow said:
So now asking what would be best adhesive for neoprene to hatch cover- boat is kevlar but not sure about hatch cover
Click to expand...
Your weatherstrip adhesive would probably work, or (solvent-type) contact cement. Best to test with a small scrap first - you can scrape off the test piece with a putty knife if you are careful.
 
BTW, sometimes I've found the webbing securing straps have gotten stiff over the years and are hard to adjust. Replacing those might let you get a bit tighter fit with the hatch cover. It can be tricky finding replacement webbing that's the right thickness to work well with the buckles, though.
 
Ok thanks. Hopefully can paddle this week to check out the temporary neoprene solution, then work on making it more permanent if it looks promising
And yes also looking for a couple replacement straps as the snaps on 2 of them are partially broken
 
blueswallow said:
also looking for a couple replacement straps as the snaps on 2 of them are partially broken
Click to expand...

Sold in sets of 3, and not cheap: https://cdkayak.com/Items.aspx?id=69
Not sure where you're located, but your nearest CD dealer can bring them in if they don't have them in stock.

I'll refrain from commenting on the sealing profile since you seem to have found a solution that you are happy with.
 
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