The rubber hatch seals on my ‘72 Commander are about 90% gone. What’s left is really brittle. I want to replace the seals but I’m not sure how. In the aft, outboard corners of the hatch track there are drain holes with plastic tubing running to the bottom of the bilge If I put in new rubber, it’s going to cover up the drains. It makes me wonder if the old rubber I took out was factory or if someone added it later. If it was factory, how do I allow for the drain holes? What do you think? Rubber seals, or no rubber and let the water run into the tracks and drain into the bilge? Thanks a lot.
Hi Steve,
Would this help:
Stop Water Gasket
replacement rubber gaskets that fit the Chris-Craft 20 inch square hatches common to the Commanders. Owned by club member Jim Ferriss
http://stopwatergasket.com
Thanks Charlene. That’s the right stuff but what I failed to put in my post is that this is for the engine hatches. Looks like Jim’s parts are made for deck hatches and port holes. Right idea, I just need bigger ones. Hope to see you this summer.
The deck hatches have no seals, only the drain holes. I don't know if CC ever added drain lines but I did and posted how it was done using flared copper tubing at the top and clear plastic tubing routed to the bilge.
Thanks Tim. I’ll do the same thing.
I failed to mention, after flaring the tubing and drilling the hole to accept the tube I drilled the top for a flare to accept the copper. With the proper flaring and a small excess of depth, the plastic tubing on, hold the top a bit above the seat add bedding compound and press in place. Route and fix the drain lines. I only did the aft holes but you will need to flush them periodically especially if you have an aft hatch. The boat has not been washed this year so no pictures;-)
I think that’ll work great. Thank you.