Main hatch sliding

[bscott]

Thanks--I think the X and M hatches are the same--at least the screaaaaaaaaaaching has the same effect on their crews

Bob

[HERNDON]

This worked for me 10 years ago and is still good:
Unlike what you would expect, the noise has nothing to do with the tracks. It is the front lower lip rubbing against the non-skid on the deck. For years I gritted my teeth every time I opened the hatch. Finally, on a tip from this forum, I took out the dremel tool with a sandpaper drum and removed about 1/4" along the lower front lip of the hatch in the center portion. SILENCE! Now my hatch doesn't make a peep when opened or closed

[jimbo]

Now that edge of reason is laid up for the winter in my driveway I am getting to do some things. Hatch sliding is the first. The Velcro mod was not so successful in my case. Yes it works but it raises the hatch too much and it binds now on the upper surface and the result is that the sliding action is very tight - still usable though. I will be getting some liquid rollers for the trailer. Will see if that loosens things a bit. If not I will have to raise the retaining strips slightly using some packing material.

Ps the tube spanner /socket required is 3/8th to undo the nuts. There are little o'rings between the strip and the deck and washers with the nuts that may or may not remove with the nuts.

[Gazmn]

This is the damage lying underneath from years of scraping by






Gonna Marine Tex it & Velcro the hatch part since I did all the dirty work taking off the hardware [Thanks Dive]

I'll raise the rail guide, perhaps with butyl tape.

Thoughts anyone?

[jimbo]

Gazmn, while you are at it you might check that the rail holes into the gel coat are countersunk just a bit. Will stop the gel coat cracking. Somewhere I read this. I have some hair line cracks spidering out from one of the holes.

I fixed the sliding on mine btw. A bit embarrassing really. Took the hatch out again. Really cleaned the top surface with acetone including the residual glue from where I folded the velco over the edges to the top surface on both ends - found it too thick to slide - removed the velco and clean forgot about the dratted glue left behind - re-assembled and used liberal amounts of silicon spray. Smooth as now. So I think that being able to fold the velco over the front and back edges may be nice - check for clearance before trying this. All up a worthwhile mod. Luckily I got to it before any real gel coat damage like shown by Gazmn but then I have a 2011 hull so quite young.

[vkmaynard]

We tried the plastic slide tape. Not good. Work ok for a short while (1 week) then hard to pull. Still has the potential of grinding sand into the slide.

Use the soft Velcro approach.

Now have to remove lots of screws and 5200/4200 again.

Victor

[Catigale]

Victor - can you remove your hatch by bending it up and slipping the edges from under the tracks - without removing them? Some have reported success at this...

[PAWSEIDON]

Happy 2020 Mac Sailors,

I realize this is an OLD post, but hoping I can get some additional info I cannot locate. Advanced Apologizes if I'm just overlooking this info in this or other posts.

I have done searches on this in both the Forums and the NEW MODs section that just came back online, yay but cannot locate the specific solution for my needs.

I want to replace the rails to the sliding hatch as the weather and sun and abuse has not been kind to them. I also want to do a deep clean, repair to the track as well as clean up and line the inside of the sliding hatch to make it a cleaner softer/warmer feel then just the gelcoat.

Can anyone help direct me to a link of a mod that will describe possibly with photos how to completely remove the rails and hatch and what I need to consider when installing the new rails.
I am doing this on a 2000 X,

Thank you and Happy New Year 2020.

[ris]

We took off both sides of the top retaining strips added west systems epoxy about 1/8 inch deep in both tracks, put smooth velcro on top itself with contact cement, painted the lid, put sealant like butyl tape around screw holes and screw heads before reinstalling rails. Four years and 12,000 miles later it is still quiet and smooth. There was a long post in the mod section with pictures but the pictures are gone because the picture hosting site folded. Need to repost in this new mod section.

[PAWSEIDON]

Thank you Ris,

I will note your process below and take your advise and post a new thread on the new site.

Thank you and Happy 2020.

[Russ]

See if this thread helps

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... =9&t=24369