1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Reassembling the Bow Hatch

With the hatch parts and portholes back from the paint shop, I put the hatch back together.

Clear threads, then add Tefgel

Originally, Chris Craft didn’t even prime these hatches on the interior surfaces. Corrosion between the cast aluminum and stainless screws made it very difficult to disassemble. I don’t plan on ever taking this hatch apart again, but the Tefgel should help keep corrosion from starting under the paint. It’ll also make it easier for the next owner when it comes time to paint the boat again.

More Tefgel on the hinge pins

Little silicone pads that came with the aft deck glass worked well to protect the paint from the Channel Lock pliers I used to drive the pins home.

Hinge reassembled

Slick Strip should make a smooth sliding vent

I’ve had several Chris Craft cruisers, all of which came with the same cast aluminum hatch, and the vent was stuck open on every one of them. In addition to painting the entire hatch, including all contact surfaces, I’m also going to try putting Slick Strip (adhesive-backed UHMW plastic) on all sliding surfaces. Hopefully, the vent will work for as long as we own the boat.

Slick Strip sticks well to new paint

Slick Strip for the fastener slot

Tefgel for the screws, Slick Strips for the sliders

Good lookin’ hinges and vent slider

More Tefgel on the hatch scoop grille screws

Done!

I plan to replace the original white glass with grey tinted to match the other windows and portholes. I’ll order all of the glass at the same time, but I’m not quite ready to place the order. I won’t know the final size or shape of the helm side windows until the helm windshield is installed. That’s coming along, but I’m having…issues.

Next up in our 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Installing the Transom Steps