Sealing a Piano Hinge

[t109a60]

I'm hoping some of you Hatteras enthusiasts have come across this. Our boat has a hinged window at the bottom of the center panel windshield. It leaks through the piano hinge during a driving rain
or when taking on spray while underway. Any ideas on how to seal? A rubber flap perhaps?

Thanks,

Ken
Comfort Zone
1978 42' Bertram FBMY
Sandusky, Ohio

 

[doc g]

I have few that have stamoid or some vinyl canvas sandwiched under them , between the hinge and the wood covering the outside of the hinge . Not sure how well it works as the dunnage boxes have other areas that leak like mad so.....Pat

 

[boatwright]

I have used bicycle inner tube slit open and layed under the hinge like a gasket then trimmed after the hinge is tight. I used a very light coat of silicon top and bottom

 

[smoothmove]

If your hinge is like mine, I feel your pain. It sure LOOKS like a good design that would perform well with a wall of water splashing onto it, but in reality, it dribbles in a heavy mist. It seems to be the nature of the beast. I finally laid a strip of rubber over the hinge and then VERY CAREFULLY formed an extremely thin bead of caulk over the strip. It looks ok I guess and has performed well for about 6 years. I'll get a pic and post it tomorrow.
Eric

 

[bobk]

Thin rubber sounds like a good way to go. If you are going to use rubber, suggest you get a weather resistant variety. A rubber supply house or roofer supply should have Hypalon which is excellent. Or you can get some pond liner which should also provide good service. Inner tubes are compounded to contain air, not resist UV.

Bobk

 

[t109a60]

Good suggestions by all. I like the idea of sandwiching a rubber membrane under the hinge (more or less out of sight). A material suitable for roofing application would seem to be the best choice, given the UV resistance.

Heading to the boat this evening and will do another survey of the situation with this in mind. Boat will be in the barn in 2 weeks () and I can tear into it then

Thank you!

 

[dsharp]

We always used a strip of Nautolex, which is just a marine vinyl.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Vinyl roofing material works well. I had a bunch of it left over from when a flat roof was done on my house, a deck/porch that we added. It is made to be out in weather and holds up admirably.

 

[bobk]

Vinyl roofing material works well. I had a bunch of it left over from when a flat roof was done on my house, a deck/porch that we added. It is made to be out in weather and holds up admirably.

"Vinyl" is a plasticized rigid plastic. You will want to see if it remains flexible and will not break when moved in cold weather. When used on a roof, it simply lays flat and immobile. Look for a glass transition temperature or a modulus vs. temperature curve. If it remains flexible at the lowest temperature you will use it, it might be OK. I'd prefer a real weather resistant rubber and do the job just once.

Bobk

 

[jim rosenthal]

Maybe that is what it is. It is a white roofing material that came on a roll and was stretched into place. It's been up there for years and is doing fine. I kept all the leftovers and have used them for lots of things over the years. Works nicely.