Hobie Cat Forums

Well I have a small set of leaks at the hatches on my 18. All it will take is some new silicone sealant but I am wondering what should I use to put them back down to the hull with. Right now It looks like they are secured with aluminum rivets. What does Hobie recommend?

Stainless steel #10-24 pan head machine screws with a flat washer and nylock nut are the best. Doesn't need to be real tight, just snug them down.

The problem with using rivets is that there's no way to control the tension, plus they are more likely to leak. They will also crack out the deck if you don't use a backing washer.

sm

The real trick is to not warp the hatch
put silicone around hatch and put ss screws into the holes wait a few days and put the ss nylock on just barely snug
I also silicone around the ropes on the lid on my pop in lid if yours are screw in doesn't matter
Keep o ring very clean
Former Hobie Admiral Gary

Flathead nylon bolts, washers and nuts work well (no real need for SS), just finger tight. A dab of silicone over the tightened nut will act as a lock washer.