Hatch Guide Slider

[unbusted67]

What do most people use to keep their sliding companionway hatches from digging into their hatch tracks? There is a piece of clear plastic on mine that is really degraded and needs to be replaced.

[Bash]

I special ordered Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene because people on one of the inferior sailing forums (which shall remain nameless) were recommending it, and have been disappointed with the results. So far nothing works like a can of McLube Sailcote.

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by Bash

I special ordered Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene because people on one of the inferior sailing forums (which shall remain nameless) were recommending it, and have been disappointed with the results. So far nothing works like a can of McLube Sailcote.

I almost feel like any old piece of thin sheet plastic would do. The rails on my boat are nicely varnished right now and I'm afraid I wouldn't trust them to just a can of lube. I want a physical barrier. What do you mean by disappointed by the results? Does it stick?

[forsailbyowner]

Why not a thin stainless or aluminum strip. I bought some 3/4"x 3'x 16guage aluminum strips for under 3$ apiece from a home center. Epoxy or 5200 to keep in place,or recessed screws

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by forsailbyowner

Why not a thin stainless or aluminum strip. I bought some 3/4"x 3'x 16guage aluminum strips for under 3$ apiece from a home center. Epoxy or 5200 to keep in place,or recessed screws

There you go

[OneSaltyDog]

Is Japanese Glide Tape available at Annapolis Performance Sailing (APS) - Japanese Glide Tape, 3/4" x 26'

I put some one my main hatch about 10 years ago. It was fiberglass sliding on fiberglass and had created a nice groove. . The original tape is still there and the hatch still slides easily.

Super slick tape - amoung the use by small boat racers is to keep the centerboard easy to raise and lower even with side loading.

All the usual disclamers - no affiliation with apsltd or the product, just glad I found it.

Steve