How to Fix Fiberglass Bass Boat Hatches

The hatches on your fiberglass boat are part of the boat's watertight integrity. This means that if the hatch incurs damage, the pressure of the water -- particularly during rough weather -- could breach the hatch. The resulting down flooding, where water pours down into the boat, can cause fatal instability. The boat could capsize, turn upside down, sink by its bow or by its stern -- the front or back of the boat -- in less than one minute. Avoid this unhappy scenario by making timely repairs to the structural elements of the hatch, or its watertight seal.

Things You'll Need

  • Hatch hinges
  • Screwdriver
  • Acetone
  • Clean Cloth
  • Adhesive marine caulk
  • 1 1/2-ounce fiberglass mat
  • Shears
  • Marine epoxy
  • Small, clean container
  • Watertight compression gasket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect the hatch to determine the extent of the damage. Look for additional damage to the edge of the hatch. Note if there is paint on the knife-edge of the hatch, the edge around the outside of the hatch opening. Notice any wear or binding associated with the hinges and missing dog wrenches that tighten the handles -- called dogs -- that hold the hatch in place.

    • 2

      Replace missing dog wrenches. Remove the screws that hold problematic hinges in place, then position new hinges of the same configuration and size over the holes in the hull and the hatch. Drive the screws into the existing holes in the hatch, using a screwdriver. Drive the screws into the holes in the hull.

    • 3

      Scrub the damaged area with acetone on a clean cloth. Allow the acetone to dry. Apply adhesive marine caulk to small cracks, where no hole penetrates the face of the hatch. For larger cracks or holes, cut sections slightly larger than the hole from a sheet of 1 1/2-ounce fiberglass mat, using shears. Cut enough fiberglass mat to cover the hole inside and out to a depth equal to the thickness of the fiberglass hatch cover.

    • 4

      Mix marine epoxy in a small, clean container, according to the directions from the manufacturer. When the epoxy first begins to cure, or kick, apply a coat of the epoxy to the area around the damage, using the flat blade of a putty knife. Fill the hole with marine adhesive caulk.

    • 5

      Position one of the pieces of fiberglass mat over the penetration, on the outside of the hatch. Press the fiberglass intro the epoxy and apply another coat of epoxy. Apply and press the mat into place. Repeat this process until you have four layers of epoxy and mat.

    • 6

      Allow the fiberglass to cure and apply epoxy and fiberglass to the inside of the damage, using the same technique. Return to the top of the hatch and apply four more layers of epoxy and fiberglass mat until the epoxy on the inside cures.

    • 7

      Sand the fiberglass smooth with 420-grit sandpaper and a palm sander after the epoxy cures completely. Paint the repaired area, if desired.

    • 8

      Pry one end of the existing compression gasket from the hatch cover, using the blade end of a pry bar. Inspect the gasket groove around the hatch cover, to ensure no debris remains in it.

    • 9

      Turn the new compression gasket so you can push the widest dimension of the gasket into the groove around the edge of the hatch. Press the end of the compression gasket into the groove. Cut the end of the compression gasket off, so the ends of the gasket in the groove touch securely. Oil the hinges and close the hatch.