Improving the sealing of the Hawk cockpit locker lids.
Although the starboard side is by far the worst, both lockers tend to leak badly in my
experience if a wave comes aboard.
It is best to seal all four standing sides of each locker because if the cockpit fills up
water enters the lockers under the front of the lids as well as more usually under the
sides and back of the lids...
After experimenting with various sealants I have found that the best one for the job is
marine silicone rubber not least because it will set when exposed to Vaseline.
The procedure/method is as follows:
1) Wash the existing seals (on the lids) and the standing surfaces of the lockers with
fresh water and allow to dry completely.
2) Cover the existing seals on the locker lids with 3 cm wide good quality masking
. tape eg 3 M.
3) Clean the standing locker surfaces with Methylated spirits and allow it to
. evaporate.
4) Coat the masking tape, covering the lid seals, with a thin layer of Vaseline
5) Load a 310 ml tube of white marine grade silicone rubber into a sealant gun and
put a 10 cm long 1 cm thick worm of silicone onto a piece of wood or cardboard.
6) Apply a 1 cm thick layer of silicone on the standing parts of both lockers making
sure that the silicone will be clear of the lid inner edges when the lids are shut
7) Let the silicone partly cure so that on pressing that which has been applied
to the wood /card board it does not stick to the finger or burst. Shut the lids and
keep closed for 24 hours.
Allowing the silicon to partly cure, before closing the locker lids for the first time,
enables the sealant to retain some bulk so that it is not flattened too much when the
lids are shut for the final curing process. The silicone will then
provide a better seal. However, if the silicone is allowed to cure for too long before
the lids are closed, to complete the curing, the locker catches will be under too
much pressure for comfortable use when the curing process has been completed.
9) Lift the lids, remove the masking tape and trim off the surplus silicone with a
sharp knife.
.
After the resealing, it maybe thought that the masking tape and vaseline were not
required. This would be the case if the partial curing has been judged correctly but on
each occasion when resealing lockers, having done the job on Hawks owned by four
friends, my nerves have not been strong enough to risk it.
David Mellor ( Hawk 09) For more information text a 01 or 02 phone number to
07748992973
.