"Non-skid" Treatment?

[Hardcrab]

Pokerrick,
I think the white stuff that dribbles down across the black comes from either or both of these:

1. Some faded/oxided white powdery junk from the untreated non-skid area above the black stripe mixing with some water, or,

2. Gel-coat "dust "generated by sliding and grinding the companionway hatch back and forth then mixing with water etc, etc.

I think that number 2 is the real culprit. That grinding, scratchy sound every time we open the hatch is annoying and embarrasing to my way of thinking. I'm sure that an certain amount of gel-coat "dust" is made each time it's slid. I don't like the short term idea of silicone spray, but it might work for someone.
I'm looking at installing some 1/8" x 3/4" x 48" (?) strips of nylon or teflon on both lower sides of the hatches' "friction surfaces" to give the hatch a better sound and feel. Should be easy enough to do. Pull up one side of the hatch "keeper rails" and go from there.
I'll bet the white stuff on the black stripe goes away.
I'll be down Thursday night. Maybe see you on the water Friday?

[Frank C]

. . . That grinding, scratchy sound every time we open the hatch is annoying and embarrasing to my way of thinking. I'm sure that an certain amount of gel-coat "dust" is made each time it's slid. I don't like the short term idea of silicone spray, but it might work for someone.

I'm looking at installing some 1/8" x 3/4" x 48" (?) strips of nylon or teflon on both lower sides of the hatches' "friction surfaces"

Not sure how the M-hatch differs, but this was a mod posted long ago for the X-boats.

I'd recommend against removing a rail, since you'd need to rebed a dozen bolts. The X-hatch is flexible enough to just "bend" out from under the rail, probably same for an M-hatch. I crouched on the starboard cabintop, then pushed the Stb side of hatch firmly toward portside, until the Stb lip clears the edge of the rail. Once removed, you'll find a real mess to be cleaned up along those rails.

The problem with teflon or nylon ... are they more slick than gelcoat? And, will they solve the problem of dust and sand that are blown into the rail crevice? I think not. Before reinstalling the hatch:

• Get a package of heavy duty 2-inch wide velcro, a strip 18" long;
• Cut it into six short lengths, each 3 inches long;
  . . . (using just the self-adhesive fuzzy loop material, not the hooks)
• Wrap/adhere a strip at each of the 4 corners, with another at each center lip,
  . . . (e.g., each 3-inch strip starts inside the hatch, wraps under the lip and sticks outside);
• Synthetic velcro is unaffected by water, as felt might be;
• That makes six little fuzzy (polyester?) slide patches, each 2" wide.

So you have now suspended most of the hatch above six "fuzzy feet" that slide silently under the rails, prevent scraping and push dust & dirt along ... no more embarrassing screeching. You still need to clean under the rails periodically ... fact is, after 2 years I guess time's up for removing my hatch & cleaning those rails.

[Catigale]

The X-hatch is flexible enough to just "bend" out from under the rail, probably same for an M-hatch.

Thanks Frank - didnt know that...maybe we should bump this to the Main Forum...

[Frank C]

I dunno ... seems to me this Forum is correct.
It ought be named Performance, Tuning & Repairs.

[Hardcrab]

Frank,
I see your point. However, I was planing to take the gel coat out of the picture by placing the strips on both the hatch and the railway bottom surfaces. That would leave me with a "teflon sliding on teflon" bearing surface. But, as you point out, it's still a dirt and grit collection problem.
I do like the idea of the velcro pads as discreet feet. I can see they would be somewhat self cleaning, especially the forward ones, acting as small brooms in the rails.
I do hope the M's hatch will flex out of the rails as you suggest. Removing and resealing the rail is not something to look forward to for the faint of heart.
Thanks for the information and insight.