Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by gentilebrian on 08/12/14 - 8:31 AM

I have a 1999 23 conquest. Just got it and Love the boat but am very unhappy with one thing. All the hatches leak when being washed down. They are all flat bottomed hatches with a rubber seal that seems to do very little. The seals appear to be in good condition Has anyone increased the effectiveness of the seals? I have owned a number of boats and this is by far the worst. I was thinking of using a router and putting a lip of some sort under the hatch lid to keep the water from flowing along the bottom of the hatch. The hatch for the bilge is the worst. one 20 minute wash down with a garden hose puts several inches of water in the bilge.

THanks.

Posted by gentilebrian on 08/12/14 - 8:40 AM

The biggest issue is my battery and auto pilot pump are right below the deck hatch infront of the back seat and they get drenched in water.

Posted by Phil T on 08/12/14 - 1:19 PM

Are you referring to hatches or inspection ports. The round inspection ports have O rings

Any original gaskets should get either replaced or lubricated.

Posted by gentilebrian on 08/13/14 - 8:01 AM

Phil T wrote:
Are you referring to hatches or inspection ports. The round inspection ports have O rings

Any original gaskets should get either replaced or lubricated.

The plastic inspection ports all seem fine. Its the lids for the storage compartments and the lid in front of the back seat to get into the bilge for the house battery where I am having the problems. The are large rectangular lids that are flat on the bottom. My last boat was a key west and I could pour as much water as I wanted on those and never water came inside the compartments.

Posted by Phil T on 08/13/14 - 9:30 AM

There are reports from Conquest owners experiencing similar issues with the hatches.

New gaskets are the recommendation.