GEBO Problems with Hatches and Portholes

[fastcat435]

I am trying to find out the experiences you all have with respect to quality of hatches and portholes, we have used Gebo in the past but lots of leakage problems arose and no warrantee to back it up. With Lewmar we had many hairline cracks in the hatches so now we have chosen BSI from Danmark and so far no problems.
Let me know what you use and if any what type of problems you have had or if you have great hatches and portholes also tell me about it

[44'cruisingcat]

BSI = Moonlight hatches? I'm thinking of using them too. Any input would be very welcome.

[fastcat435]

We have started using Moonlight hatches and portholes 2 years ago and so far no problems whatsoever, they close good no leakage problems
We have them equipped with Lexan Marguard to keep the heat out and that works well to

[44'cruisingcat]

Thanks for that. It's so hard to get good information about hatches, especially positive info. The consensus seems to be that all brands leak - I'm not happy at the prospect of paying a few thousand dollars to build leaks into my boat!

[fastcat435]

We have used 3 different brands before setting on BSI - Moonlight
The makes that did not agree with us are
GEBO = leaks and no service or warrantee whatsoever
Lewmar = no leaks and good service but the cracking of the plexiglass was a problem and the locks on the closing handles break
Weaver = My wife complained about how hard it was to open and close them

Another make that I have only heard good comments about but have not tried out ourselves is Goiot from France.

[Seeratlas]

Originally Posted by fastcat435

We have used 3 different brands before setting on BSI - Moonlight
The makes that did not agree with us are
GEBO = leaks and no service or warrantee whatsoever
Lewmar = no leaks and good service but the cracking of the plexiglass was a problem and the locks on the closing handles break
Weaver = My wife complained about how hard it was to open and close them

Another make that I have only heard good comments about but have not tried out ourselves is Goiot from France.

Goiot for the win. NEVER had a problem when properly installed.

seer

[Joli]

We have had good luck with Manship Hatches, very similar to Hood. No leaks, look good.

Man Ship Marine

[Benjamaphone]

I'm probably getting into murky forum rule territory but... I'm surprised that Atkins & Hoyle wasn't mentioned. All new products have a 2-year warranty against leaks or malfunction. Repair jobs get a full 1-year warranty. Don't settle for a product that makes a claim and then doesn't back it up with a guarantee.

[vacendak]

Goiot for the win

nope, IMHO

They put 6mm (< 1/4") acryl to size 20 hatches & opening portlights.
This is not for bluewater cruising.

[Weyalan]

I recently installed 3 new hatches.
I went for the Maxwell / Weaver offshore hatches (20" x 20"). I am very happy with them so far... time will, of course, tell.

[bb beware]

I've got 8 Gebo hatches- they all leaked. IMP tried to fix by increasing tension on the handles. Now they are difficult to open and some still leak especially when 'pounding'. The problem with the Gebo is a tolerance of only 1mm. The 'cowboys' that installed them used a power driver to tighten thus distorting the frame. I'm changing them all to Bomar; anybody any experience of round Bomar Hatches?

[vacendak]

The problem with the Gebo is a tolerance of only 1mm

IMHO all nowadays medium-priced hatches (Gebo, Lewmar, Maxwell / Vetus)
require the same tolerance;
A&H are not so skittish, but way (~ 2x) more expensive

[top_deck2]

have already spent htousands of dollars on Gebo hatches am finding they leak in their handles. Can anyone give any advice aprt from total replacement. Have we got a hatch that is guranteed for 10+ years "NOT" to leak ???!!!
TopDeck

[JayH]

I have 12 Gebo hatches. A couple leaked (from the frames, not the handles), but I replaced them all because I found inventory and the old hinges were corroding. Installed the new ones myself. No leaks. I'm in Florida and it rains a good bit. I must say, looking at the handle design, I'm not sure why they don't leak, but I doubt the problem is specific to Gebo.

[vacendak]

try contacting RHIGO marine glazing

I suspect GEBO products are their cheaper clones;
Rhigo handles have better construction and should not leak.
IMHO - might buy a set of handles and replace.
Last year I had a discussion about the matter
with mr. van Deursen - a really nice guy from Rhigo;
here follows his explanation:

... our handle construction is different:
1) The exterior handle is one solid extrusion molding of glass reinforced plastic.
Gebo: two pieces glued together. Please see exploded view photo.
2) The interior handle closure fixed with screw. Gebo: glued together.

In general: The method of sealing is the same, namely one seal on the hatch handle
and a sealing rubber between the hatch fixture on the deck and the opening lid.
... I dare to say however, that we do not receive complaints about water tightness of our hatches.