interesting and unanticipated hatch leak!

[Cliffmeister2000]

Well, folks, I thought I had done a bang-up job on my hatch, used a better than hurricane hinge, sealed it well, etc. Sure enough, it doesn't leak.

At least, until I open the hatch. Then water runs down the open hatch to the hinge from the backside, which I had not anticipated and did not seal! Guess the hatch is coming off and some butyl rubber going on!

I dry the door before I open it

That's what I did after I discovered the problem!

[halfdome, Danny]

Cliff, we get a lot of here in Washington during camping season. This is what I've done on all my teardrops and it works quite well if the underside of the Hurricane Hinge is sealed properly. It keeps the rain from wicking down the galley wall.
It's a piece of aluminum angle with a notch to extend into the hinge gap and gooped. I radius the protrusion to avoid any injuries.

I also found the end grain of the hatch not solid enough to support the two screws for my gas struts. From a suggestion, I came up with cutting off the knuckles off a house door butt hinge and welding it to the bracket at 90 degrees. This really supports the lid now since the screws also penetrate face grain of the plywood. Danny

[EPGregg]

I just got back from a rainy trip and tried our "Galley Cover". I had the same problem. As soon as I got back checked the trusty TTT website for solutions/simpathy. I concluded that the leak is a function of the design of the hinge, it's just made to work properly when closed (and it does). My possible soulution, to at least reduce the problem, is to install some EZ gutter (from camping world)on the lower side of the hinge.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=70096

http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=70095


Lets hope it helps!

[Classic Finn]

Cliff, we get a lot of here in Washington during camping season. This is what I've done on all my teardrops and it works quite well if the underside of the Hurricane Hinge is sealed properly. It keeps the rain from wicking down the galley wall.
It's a piece of aluminum angle with a notch to extend into the hinge gap and gooped. I radius the protrusion to avoid any injuries.

I also found the end grain of the hatch not solid enough to support the two screws for my gas struts. From a suggestion, I came up with cutting off the knuckles off a house door butt hinge and welding it to the bracket at 90 degrees. This really supports the lid now since the screws also penetrate face grain of the plywood. Danny

Hi Danny
I was wondering if you have more photos of the hinge area and diverter?
Id sure love to seethe diverter from more angles. Ive also encountered water coming into the galley.

[Gage]

Well, folks, I thought I had done a bang-up job on my hatch, used a better than hurricane hinge, sealed it well, etc. Sure enough, it doesn't leak.
At least, until I open the hatch. Then water runs down the open hatch to the hinge from the backside, which I had not anticipated and did not seal! Guess the hatch is coming off and some butyl rubber going on!

Yep I would say that 90% of the teardrops built are that way. People don't think water will come in that way because it's on the down slope and don't even think about what would happen when the hatch is open.

I'm thinking it would be something like this. Since I haven't become personally acquainted with a hurricane hinge, I'm not entirely sure if this is exactly what I saw,but I think it's close. Hope this helps make your repair less traumatic.

This is a good idea but sure would be a pain in the donky if you want to remove the hatch for some reason in the future. Me, I'l just stay with the butyl tape.

[Classic Finn]

Gage would you have photos anywhere,s in your website about the way you have done your hinges and sealed them? You know that Im an addicted - Gage teardrop fan..

[Gage]

Don't think I do. It's just one of those common sense thing.

[halfdome, Danny]

Hi Danny
I was wondering if you have more photos of the hinge area and diverter?
Id sure love to seethe diverter from more angles. Ive also encountered water coming into the galley.

Heikki, it's just a simple piece of angle aluminum notched and bent to go inside the hurricane hinge gap. Install it plumb. Danny