Leaking Bomar Hatch Fix

Randy Miller, Hiaqua 37VT03

Leaking Bomar Hatches - We finally got tired of the leaking hatches which allowed significant volumes of water to enter the bilge. Courtesy of Raven 37VT04 and Excelsior 37VT01, Bomar hatch and fuel vent improvements solved two major issues:

Above deck Fuel Vent - was mounted centerline next to the aft door. Both port & starboard tanks were plumbed into the vent fabricated of 3/4" OD stainless hydraulic tube. NO MORE bending way over board trying to contain fuel in a burp tank which invariably fell off. The new vent coupled with last year's  rerouting of new vent lines with a continuous upward slope makes fueling a breeze.

Bomar Hatch drain system - The original outboard starboard side fuel vent was now converted to a water drain for both Bomar Hatches via a gutter system. Bomar hatch drain holes were drilled out and tapped to accept 1/8" NPT x 3/8" hose nipples. Short pieces of fuel line (ø3/8" x 5/8" OD) were used to feed into ø5/8" tubing attached to a 1x3x90" board mounted athwartship. This board was mounted as high as possible on the port side and then sloped 2.5o - 3o to starboard, to allow continuous draining to starboard and out the old starboard fuel vent. In conjunction to the drain system, a hollow clear silicon self stick tape weather seal (Frost King SS20CL, on Amazon) was attached towards the inside edge of the hatch which actually seals the hatches when dogged down. All excess water goes down the drain system and overboard!! Bomar hatches are now actually sealed and NO MORE water sneaking by and heading to the bilge! We never heard our main bilge pumps turn on all summer (the only bilge pump used was the Slurpee as needed). Silicon tube weather seal (3/8"w x 5/16"ht x 17ft, "D" shape tube) is found on Amazon Prime $5.71 per each hatch. Two 110V LED lights were installed with 3-way switches were installed centered on each Bomar hatch to illuminate the lazarett.