Doug; In this age of digital photography, I always take massive numbers of pictures of any project. This includes pictures from prior to beginning to post completion as well as all along the way. This helps reveal any minute details of caulkings, etc. It also allows for sharing the project with others who are considering embarking on a similar project. As for why the slide guides of the companionway hatch being miss-aligned upon reinstallation, I assume the companionway hatch was in place when the slide guides were reinstalled on the boat, and that inward pressure was being exerted on them when they were tightened. Further, I assume that an adhesive caulk (Life Seal or similar caulk) was applied to help hold the boards in place and releave pressure on the fasteners and prevent water intrusion from infultrating the fiberglass. Being a rounded surface of the fiberglass and boards, and being the height of the boards allowing the width of the opening to increase if any angle is introduced to their reinstallation, I think you may have yawed them slightly outward when reinstalling them. To correct this you may have to raise them and put them down again in order to eliminate any misalignment. Additionally, you may have to fill the previous holes in the boat with epoxy putty (PC-11), and redrill them to get a proper fit. Did you refinish the rails underside where they meet the cabin trunk? If so you possibly changed the meeting angle when you sanded that surface. Hope these ideas prove helpfull, Very truly yours, David In a message dated 5/12/2008 12:03:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi all, I removed the wooden rails that guide the main entry hatch so that I could refinish them. Refinishing went great, but when I replaced the rails, they were too far apart such that the lips of the hatch that are supposed to slide in the grooves instead just falls on the deck. I can not figure out why this happened because I put them back using the same holes that they were originally in with. From what I can understand, the rails should be in the same place as they were and the hatch should be the same shape as it was, so it should fit like it did. Can anyone point out the flaw in my analysis? Thanks and best regards, Doug **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)
