Need to add access hatch to through bolt gudgeons...

Looking for a curved 4" access hatch to add to through bolt gudgeons. Hobie used to sell one but it has been discontinued. I can't find one online. I've contacted Viking Marine who made the curved access hatches for Hobie but I haven't heard back. Does anyone know where to get a curved 4" access hatch?

Viking went out of business a few years ago.

SeaDog makes similar hatches, but not the "curved" version. That was really special from Viking. They molded the hatches and then milled the flange down to create the curve. No longer available. You can use a standard 4" just have to have thicker sealant to create a shaped gasket. Set the hatch on the sealant and let it cure before adding fasteners.

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

Thanks Matt. What sealant would you recommend?

Do you have to trough bolt why not just tap and thread new bolt holes?
Steve

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84 Turbo

Likely silicone or similar.

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

Steve,

They've already been upsized twice... only option at this point is to through bolt.

Another option to building up the gasket in lieu of the silicone is to use rubber gasket material. You can find it on Amazon or at your local auto parts store. Use the round hatch as a pattern and cut out as many pieces of the gasket as you need to build up around the curve. I would personally glue the rubber gasket pieces together (Amazing Good Marine has worked well for me) once I had them built up enough so they won't spread apart when you tighten the hatch down with fasteners.

Not sure how much space you have in the aft deck, but a 4” diameter port is extremely tight to work in. You will not be able to have your hand in the port and be able to look inside at the same time. If you can go up to 5”, it will make things easier. Otherwise, cut the hole and then do the gudgeon repair before installing the port flange. That’ll give you an extra 1/2” to work with since the 4” ports require a 4-1/2” hole in the deck.

sm

SM - thanks for the tip. I tried putting my arm in a 4" access port and it was real tight. Good idea to do the work on the gudgeon after cutting hole... before installing port.

I found a good article about sealants. http://www.boatus.com/magazine/2013/April/how-to-pick-the-right-sealant.asp

Another way is cut a hole in the side big enough to work through, bolt the gudgeons up and then repair the hole using the plate you just cut out. Fair and regel to finish.
Better than putting a leak point in to the rear deck, remember the 14s backside spends alot of time under water.
Steve

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84 Turbo