Enlarged Seals... again

For the 2nd time since I've had my TI (3 years now, I think) the Twist-N-Stow hatch seals have enlarged to the point where no amount of pushing or pounding will allow the hatch lids to seat. I don't know what it is that causes the seals to swell so much but I'm thinking of trying a different shaped seal. Perhaps a O-Ring if I can find the right thickness to allow for a secure but not overly tight seal. A silicone type if possible. Has anybody been able to source anything that seems to work well on these hatches?

Should Hobie ever redesign this hatch, I think expanding lid lip so that it simply shuts down over the mounting base, therefore only requiring a thin gasket type seal on the underside of the lid, would be better all around design.

Tom, I've never had a problem here in Costa Rica, where it's extremely hot and humid. Trick is to clean the hatch and every so often and apply Pure Silicone Grease to the O-ring, works like a charm. If I didn't do that then I would more than likely have the problem you are encountering.

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Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014

I keep mine lubed with diver's silicone and clean the hatch lid recess and sealing ring after every trip. It's not a maintenance issue.

Tom, I've ONLY used plumber's silicone grease--Danco's, I believe, at Home Depot. Never had a problem with the rings becoming unusable.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

If the seal seems too big, making the hatch difficult to close, remove the seal and thoroughly wash it, and carefully cut a 1/4" slice out of it, and seal the ends together using super glue. Repeat as necessary.

I did this almost two years ago, and my hatches close smoothly and seal well.

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

I replaced them on an older Revo I purchased last summer and noticed that the old seals were looser in the grooves and seemed thicker or slightly swollen compared to the new ones. I don't think the previous owner had applied anything to the O-rings for maintenance. I'm wondering if Armorall or 303 would be a better choice on both the O-Ring and it's sealing surface or Krytox which would be a better lubricant than silicone grease.
It would be helpful if we knew the material they were made from to select the best conditioner/lube.
Chris

Sure sounds like a petroleum contamination issue. That can swell the seals. Maybe?

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

my 2015 TI that is only couple months old has the same problem, try to close the hatch and it gets caught in the lid, what a joke, mine are all slippery and soft as bubble gum, i have never used anything on mine but water when i rinse it off, i am going to change it to round O-rings as i believe its over engineered. some say they wont seal as good as the triangular flip sideways don't stay in correct position get pinched factory O-rings......

You can replace the o-ring with a new one (Part #71702021 8" - or 71701021 7") - and use silicone lube - it will work good as new/ continue to lube it as a maintenance routine and they will last forever.

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Jacques Bernier
http://www.hobie.com/
http://www.facebook.com/HobieCatCompany

Sounds like your divers silicone is the obvious culprit.

Actually not. Here's the thing - I have 4 Hobie kayaks with Twist and Stow hatches. I have used the same Diver's silicone on the hatch seals on all 4, but only the two on the TI have swollen. All the others still shut smoothly and cleanly.

And the reason I use Diver's silicone is because it claims to be safe for any and all rubber seals.

At any rate, I'm going to try and source some round seals in silicone just for the heck of it.

you say it will work good as new? that is the problem in my case..... just saying

I've been traveling and unable to answer this thread properly. Back home (9500' in northern NM) and want to point out a thread I started back in Jan, 2009. The thread was titled:
“Matt Miller. Which Silicone Grease?”

Here is the link to that thread. http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=11630

Here are a couple comments on that relatively short thread:









Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

I've been using a dry silicone spray on mine... works like a charm.

In the catalog as 5107 SILICONE SPRAY 7oz

This is a product by Mcnett.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)