Hatch latch

[TAM]

Has anyone replaced the screw latch on the Mac 26's bow hatch? It's always catching on something and my inflatable has a nice puncture hole.

[NiceAft]

TAM,

How did the latch make contact?

Ray

[TAM]

With the hatch open, the screw sticks up. I had my dinghy on the foredeck. Should have known better.

I did a search and found that some owners have used the Perco hatch/winshield latch. Has that worked well? Is one in center enough, or would one in each front corner better?


Terry

[tangentair]

I haven't replaced it but I have considered it because it is always getting bent - that part that the screw screws against that is - but I run up against water tight considerations of a non compression or screw down kind of latch and I am not sure how water tight the screw down latch is over just closing it.

[Chinook]

I replaced our screw knob hatch latch with the adjustable lever type (Perki Hatch Latch/Winsshield Keeper) last year. It was an easy swap, and I'm very happy with it. The lever design provides adequate compression for water seal. We really like being able to open the hatch with a flip of the lever instead of laying there turning on that old knob. It's also a quick way to secure the hatch. I think if you check the search function you'll find more info on this. That's where I got the idea to switch.

[Finn]

Hello Chinnook,

I would also like to replace the original latch with something more convenient and of better quality. It would be nice to have a quick release latch installed.

I tried to locate the Perko Hatch Latch/Windshield Keeper that you are talking about but could not find it. I was wondering if you could post a picture of the latch or perhaps let me know where the item is available.

Thank you for your help,
Finn

[Frank C]

I used Perko's "hold down clamp" and it works fine on the 26X, using just one of them in the center to replace Roger's folly. The hook part (left) is attached to the hatch while the lever & loop hang on the deck lip. Measure carefully to set the distance between them, as that tension is how it becomes watertight. To source the photo, I searched West Marine for Perko latch.

[TAM]

This is the Perko Hatch Latch and what I was thinking of using. I believe I saw posts before about it.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... assNum=148

[Chinook]

The latch I used is a little different looking. I don't have a picture handy, but if you can access the 2008 WestMarine catalogue, it's on page 556. Model number is 256842 and the Perko # 0769DPOCHR. It has nice tension adjustment. Twist the plastic handle and it threads in or out, as needed. Slip it into the receiving "U" slot and turn the handle 90 degrees to tension the hatch closed.

[Kelly Hanson East]

There are some pictures of the above mentioned latch in this forum somewhere.

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... tch#p60605

[delevi]

Frank, I used the same latch on mine but for the life of me couldn't get it to hold. Spent about 2 hours. Ended up having to put the original one back and epoxy several holes and spray paint them black. almost un-noticable... just added to my other battle scars. I guess some of us just shouldn't try to be mechanical

[beene]

LMAO



G

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

That hatch latch is indeed a folly. When I first got my boat a little over 5 years ago, the P.O. didn't have the latch lip set right and so I gave it a little bend and then it worked well for about 4.5 years. A few months ago, I got caught on it going in or out of the hatch and bent it slightly out of shape. The hatch would not close right so I then spent a very frustrating hour or so trying to get it back right because that screw has dug a little hole into the fiberglass which causes it to fall off of the metal and not put enough closing pressure. I guess if it goes out of whack again, I could try to fill the hole with some jb weld or similar and that may be the simplest solution. I can see how mounting a new type could be problematic due to the fact that it would have to be installed just perfect to put enough closing pressure on the hatch seal (and messing up, filling holes, etc. would be a pita). If that sucker isn't closed tight, it tends to leak.

[Kilblaan]

I'm a new owner of a 2001X ... I've been able to find solutions for all my other queries thru the search and advanced search. I'm currently stumped on how the forward hatch remains open and how it can be left open varying amounts (found several short pieces of wood left by the PO - not a good sign). I have on the hatch a slider with an adjustable knob and a spring and it seems to have a thin wire running inside the spring - this must have put a significant strain on the 2 screws retaining the contraption to the boat side of the hatch opening as the screws have been pulled right thru the fiberglass and no longer hold. What is the purpose of this spring and slider? As a related question is there any trick to get a screw to work once the hole is too large vs putting in a larger screw?

[pokerrick1]

MANY, MANY of us have replaced the fore hatch latch on our M - - - the thumbscrew on mine became stripped the first year. Anything you decide to replace it with should be better than the factory original!!

Rick