Swim deck hatch creaking

[Maineiac]

So the hatch on my swim deck makes a horrible creaking sound when you walk on it, but only if the hatch is locked. If I unlock the hatch and leave it closed there is no noise. This leads me to believe there is something wrong with the locking mechanism itself.

Has anyone else had this happen before? I’m hoping there is something I can do to adjust it myself because the wait to get into the dealer is 6 weeks.

 

[HangOutdoors]

you sure you don't have a peeble or something in there somewhere? The locking shouldn't do anything different for down pressure. I would loosen up the latch components and just adjust.

 

[Maineiac]

you sure you don't have a peeble or something in there somewhere? The locking shouldn't do anything different for down pressure. I would loosen up the latch components and just adjust.

I looked for debris but couldn’t find anything. I’m wondering if maybe stepping on the deck is putting downward pressure on the latch and it’s rubbing somehow? But I can’t loosen it too much or that hatch will end up rattling when the boat bounces.

 

[sunbyrned]

I’m just thinking through this trying to help explore the cause. When latching, you’re putting pressure somewhere and wondering if it’s forcing itself out of square or flush. Perhaps the problem is at the hinges rather than the latch. Maybe try tightening or loosening those screws. It could even be (if there are two sets) that one is higher than the other and latching causes everything to sit at an angle. It could also be that the hinges are secured at an angle rather than level. It could also be that the tab on the boat that the latch on the hatch secures to needs adjusting rather than the latch. I’ll check my boat out tomorrow and see if I can come up with any other thoughts.

 

[212s]

My cleanout hatch did the same - just needed to adjust the latch and now it's silent.

 

[Maineiac]

My cleanout hatch did the same - just needed to adjust the latch and now it's silent.

How did you adjust it?

 

[212s]

How did you adjust it?

The angled retainer on the bottom can be loosened and slides up/down a bit. I dropped mine down a hair and all good.

 

[Maineiac]

The angled retainer on the bottom can be loosened and slides up/down a bit. I dropped mine down a hair and all good.

I went out there to adjust it today but didn’t have the right size Allen wrench. It looks like there’s a set screw I can loosen and then adjust the retainer.

 

[sunbyrned]

I went out there to adjust it today but didn’t have the right size Allen wrench. It looks like there’s a set screw I can loosen and then adjust the retainer.

I saw an Allen wrench hack video on FB that was good to know about. You can take a flathead screw driver and use it in an allen wrench setting, placing the head into opposite corners. Of course you have to have the right size screwdriver, but it’s a tip to pass onto you. It looks like you’re honing in on the solution.