Companionway hatch hard to open after sitting on hard

[aaronroesner]

I have owned an Endeavour 37 for 3 years now. Each spring I haul out and store on the hard until fall. In a few months I will go to launch my boat, which brings up a problem that I have every year. While on the hard, and for the first week or two on the water, my companionway hatch is very hard to slide open/closed. The reason for this, I have found, is that after sitting on her keel for 6-8 months the whole boat sorta relaxes and the opening of the companionway expands about 3/8 of an inch, putting tension on the hatch. There aren't any stress cracks or gel coat cracking that I can see. Is this normal, has anyone experienced this as well? A part of me reasons that it's natural for a boat to relax like this being out of the water and not fully supported. Thanks in advance!

[JPA Cate]

I don't know if I'd call it "normal", but it is not uncommon. More common with lighter built boats. People report difficulties with opening cupboard doors, etc.

Being in the water supports the whole boat. On the hard, she sits on her keel, and sometimes this pushes the keel up into the boat. We were told of a boat that lost 2" of headroom on the hard, and the new owner was only told, "It'll be okay in the water", and nothing of the possibility of flex damage.

Ann

[a64pilot]

It would seem to indicate that it needs to be better supported while on the hard, but it is common, for example many boats you shouldn’t even bother to try to align the engine until it’s been back in the water for a day or two or so I have been told.

[JanetGroene]

I'm with a64pilot. Proper supports replicate stresses boat experiences the water.

[Orion Jim]

I agree that your boat is not being properly supported while on the hard. You do not have a thin hulled racer which might be expected to lose its shape out of the water. As an example my 31’ full keel boat is supported by 8 stands and I’ve never had a sticky hatch, door, or drawer. My buddy has a Beneteau 36.7 and the yard has 10 stands supporting this racer. He has never had any indication of a deformed hull either. Have your yard supply a couple extra stands the next time you are on the hard and I bet your issue will be resolved.