What Brand Hatch Is This

[starcruiser]

Hi sailors, I need help to identify a hatch whose rubber seal is leaking.
The seal doesn't compress enough any longer so water enters and makes a mess of the blankets. I need a new seal.

I have no idea what brand. There's no writing anywhere. The only clue is the logo? On the outside handle/ dog.

Can anyone identify it? It maybe a capital R when viewed upside down.

[goboatingnow]

That’s a Rutgerson brand on the handle

[starcruiser]

Thanks so much goboatingnow. I spent hours scouring the internet but always the usual suspects turned up, like Lewmar and Bomar.

You've saved me hours more surfing.

[JPA Cate]

Actually, all you need to do is go to a shop that specializes in seals. For example, there's one in Southport, QLD,* that has the tubing in various sizes, as well as seals for fridges and freezers. See if you can determine what size it was originally (calipers will tell you what size it is now), and you can probably find something that will work okay.

*At least is was there, pre-Covid; I don't know if it still is.

Ann

[goboatingnow]

There are some official Rutgerson dealers in the US. I’d start there

[starcruiser]

I've emailed Rutgerson but no reply yet. The hatch has a channel which houses the seal, and it's a special profile into which generic seals won't go. If I can't get a replacement I'll try a suitable thin stick-on rubber on the lip of the hatch where the seal presses against.

Or wedge something in the channel to make the seal stick out more to increase lost compression.

Doubt whether rejuvenating the seal will work. It's soft enough as it is, needs to be harder to compress.

[starcruiser]

Well, I finally got an answer from Rutgerson about getting a new seal. Amazingly, they said that for legal weapons they don't sell seals. What? Their own seals?

They gave me a supplier in Australia to contact, and I did. That company will only sell the complete opening part of the hatch... for $898 Australian, about $US 630.

A lot of money when all I need is a new seal worth a few dollars.

And pricier than Rutgerson charges for the entire hatch. Ridiculous.

So next time I'm at the boat I'll try a bit of stick-on door seal, cost a few cents, and see how I go.

[paulajayne]

Try here:-

https://ibsplexiglass.com/seal-rubber-gasket/

[starcruiser]

Quite a range. Thanks Paulajayne.