Lewmar Hatch styles- what’s the dif?

[zachduckworth]

I have a Lewmar 30 in my cabin that is probably between ten and twenty years old. During a recent rainstorm (tropical storm that brushed SoCal) I got some leaks through the Lewmar. The leaks were not failure of the window but in the thick black gasket the window sits on. The leak was pretty good sized, so it’s a critical fix before the rainy season hits in December.

‘m looking at buying a new hatch because the old one is badly crazed and looking faded inside and out. The info put out by Lewmar is confusing so I’m not sure if I should be looking at a low rise, mid rise. or Ocean model 30.

Thanks for any info you can shed on this topic.
I’d add that Ivthink the gasket is there because the deck is slightly curved.

[goboatingnow]

Almost all lewmar uses soft rubber seals , it’s not because the deck is curved. The seals typically last 8-10

replacementb seals are available from lewmar as well as replacement acrylics , the part number on more modern lewmar ( post 2000) is etched into the acrylics near the edge , get this number as the lewmar agent will need it. ( unless it’s a Bavaria , which has custom lewmar standard hatches )

Replace the seal and all will be well

I did both mine last year , about 45 minutes per hatch.

[zachduckworth]

Thanks for the info, sounds straight forward.
My hatch has a single, centrally located handle, I hope that’s the newer, replaceable model. I’ll investigate next time I’m at the boat.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by zachduckworth

Thanks for the info, sounds straight forward.

My hatch has a single, centrally located handle, I hope that’s the newer, replaceable model. I’ll investigate next time I’m at the boat.

Get the part number of the acrylic panel that will positively identify it.

[Bill O]

If you buy a new hatch based on my experience, would do a few things differently.

1. Would buy Bomar instead of Lewmar. While it is anecdotal observations, was able to have both hatch brands on the last boat. Over many years, the Lewmar acrylic crazed while the Bomar was still in very good shape (>20yrs).

2. If you have a slight crown in the where the hatch sits on the deck/cabin top, would try to frame it out so the hatch sits flush. While more work, eventually the seal will leak in a good storm when trying to seal on an uneven surface.

[Calif.Ted]

In the past I've been able to purchase NIB hatches at Minney's for about half price.
Home (Minney's link)

I’d add that Ivthink the gasket is there because the deck is slightly curved.

Leads me to believe your leak is between the deck and the hatch frame? As Bill says, you need to create a flat mounting surface for the hatch to seal well, if the deck is not flat.

[team karst]

I’ve done almost a dozen lewmar lens/gasket rebuilds. About half required significant effort splitting apart the aluminum frame halves. As in. Pneumatic hammer..[emoji15]
And all required hand impact screwdriver on the M3 flat heads.

[Calif.Ted]

I’ve done almost a dozen lewmar lens/gasket rebuilds.

I've only been about 50% successful getting the frames apart without destruction.

[team karst]

One failed to separate for me. Another one failed to liberate a M3. Salt water boats all. But the airhammer with chisel tip did wonders.

[zachduckworth]

Originally Posted by Calif.Ted

In the past I've been able to purchase NIB hatches at Minney's for about half price.
Home (Minney's link)

Leads me to believe your leak is between the deck and the hatch frame? As Bill says, you need to create a flat mounting surface for the hatch to seal well, if the deck is not flat.

I love the look and would do this but I haven’t been able to find a good how-to on it. I have seem a so-so how-to on a facebook group with a nice result but it left way more questions than answers.