Jody House
Newbie
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2023
- Messages
- 2
- Vessel Name
- Magnolia
- Vessel Make
- Viking / 60' Sport Yacht
I have a 2000 60´ Viking. Last week I moved the boat from Florida to North Carolina. I was in 3-5´ seas. We had an occasional wave spray hard over the bow. At about 12:30a, I got a bilge alarm and found that the 20"x20" bow hatch was GONE. We took water into boat through hatch. We changed course and managed to keep water from continuing to enter boat. Tense situation.
Someone had been sleeping in the bow stateroom 15 minutes before the hatch gave way. There had not been any leaks up until the time of the failure. I inspected the hatch, I found that the two lift cylinders were in perfect condition. Not bent or damaged at all. The cylinder/cam lock assembly were secured to the hatch by glue. It appeared that the glue gave way.
Before we left marina, I personally secured the boat for open water. Checking (I Thought) everything thoroughly. The dogs were all in correct positions, however there was a screen over the hatch and I didn´t push up on the glass to confirm it was closed.
I called Bomar to start the process of getting a new hatch. When I gave them the S/N of the hatches I was told that they no longer manufacture those hatches because the glue failed! I questioned if there had been a recall, was told no.
Viking installed the 3 hatches on the bow facing forward (Hinges aft). I assume the moisture, vibration then a spray of water loosened the seal then lifted the hatch enough for it to catch the wind and water and simply rip off the boat.
If you have these style hatches where the hatch is NOT BOLTED but is glued to a round 2" diameter plastic pad you need to beware of potential failure. The glue that holds the plastic pad to the "glass" failed for me, and is a known issue with Bomar. Perhaps this is widely known....
The Model # on one of the remaining deck hatches is 99000787, which is a 13" square hatch i think...
Someone had been sleeping in the bow stateroom 15 minutes before the hatch gave way. There had not been any leaks up until the time of the failure. I inspected the hatch, I found that the two lift cylinders were in perfect condition. Not bent or damaged at all. The cylinder/cam lock assembly were secured to the hatch by glue. It appeared that the glue gave way.
Before we left marina, I personally secured the boat for open water. Checking (I Thought) everything thoroughly. The dogs were all in correct positions, however there was a screen over the hatch and I didn´t push up on the glass to confirm it was closed.
I called Bomar to start the process of getting a new hatch. When I gave them the S/N of the hatches I was told that they no longer manufacture those hatches because the glue failed! I questioned if there had been a recall, was told no.
Viking installed the 3 hatches on the bow facing forward (Hinges aft). I assume the moisture, vibration then a spray of water loosened the seal then lifted the hatch enough for it to catch the wind and water and simply rip off the boat.
If you have these style hatches where the hatch is NOT BOLTED but is glued to a round 2" diameter plastic pad you need to beware of potential failure. The glue that holds the plastic pad to the "glass" failed for me, and is a known issue with Bomar. Perhaps this is widely known....
The Model # on one of the remaining deck hatches is 99000787, which is a 13" square hatch i think...