After Hatches

At last ! All hatch frames have had several coats of paint including top coats of 2-pot polyurethane. Each of the six Maxwell hatches are in place in a bed of Sikaflex 291 (Adhesive/sealant/bedding compound) and held in place with lots of 316 stainless steel bolts & nuts.

The large forward hatch is also back on after having several more coats of paint, and insulation, in the form of marine carpet glued to the underside, and a rubber sealing strip.

That front edge of the cockpit coaming has been completely rebuilt, and also has it's first few coats of paint.

I also built four dorade boxes for the foredeck vents and these are welded to the deck. These are designed to allow air into the boat but any water that enters the vents drains away at the base. I've put one of the teak tops, with cowl vent on top, onto the dorade box, for show, for this photo. The boxes still need several coats of paint before the tops all go on permanently.

So hopefully, this winter, I have more air, more light, and less condensation.