Forward sliding hatch gasket source
Hello all,
If anyone could help me for a source for the sliding hatch gasket. Spare parts Nautor has emailed me that this is no longer supplied by them.
It appears that the May 2008 thread for 47 has photos that are identical to the hatch on 57, and from the gasket map would be #10554. Can anyone confirm this is the correct gasket?
If so, does anyone have a source for this, or a substitute that makes the hatch waterproof again, please?
Our gasket has just stopped touching the plexiglass when it drops down when it closes.
Yes, we use a spray hood at sea when heavy water on the deck is expected.
Thanks for any help where to get this!
smooth seas,

Robert - Concerto

Hi Robert,

I recently replaced the gasket on my Swan 411. The seal has been very successful, I am pleased to say. I bought the profile from Portmere Rubber in Southampton. I do not have the number of the profile but it is P shaped. The distance from the top of the P to the bottom is 18mm, the external diameter of the P is 12mm and the internal diameter 6mm.

Portmere Rubber are at Victoria Street, Northam, Southampton SO14 5QZ, Tel: +44 (0)23 8022 3628 and their web site is www.portmererubber.co.uk .

I hope that this will help you.

Regards

Anthony Fawcett

Hi Anthony,
Thanks very much for the info as I have been unable to find the original extrusion anywhere (which is maybe why Nautor spares can no longer supply...) and your source has a good substitute!

Thanks very much, and wishing you smooth sailing

Robert Ahbel

Dear Lars,

I have just received a quote from PrtmereRubber (they are very efficient), and they are able to get two different products, which one of the two would you suggest, for the sliding hatch of the S. 47?

Both are black neoprene

Thanks in advance!

Fair winds

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

Dear Matteo

Dear Lars,

thanks!

Could I ask you one of your fantastic sketches for your suggested installation...?

:-)

Fair winds!

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

Dear Matteo

Thanks to Philippe (41/022)

Thanks dear Lars and Philippe!

Fair winds

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

Dear Lars and Philippe,

my forward sliding hatch has nearly been rebuilt, after many thoughts I decided to rebuilt it exactly as it was in origin*, I have found (thanks Lars) the last piece of available original gasket in the market and someone who machin-worked the tufnol. 

In a few days I should receive the new transparent (made new all three of them), I can't wait to test it next season!

Will post new photos ASAP!

Fair winds!

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

*  Rod Stephens designed (and Nautor built) nearly 50 years ago, a sliding hatch which has been proved perfectly water proof, not a single drop of water cames in from these hatches, why change them with a non original (e.g.) aluminum one, which I am pretty sure in a few years will need to be replaced...?

Dear Friends,

lock-down in Italy is going to be slightly released, and Pezzini shipyard re-opened last Monday, I have been there today to see the sliding hatch assembly (unfortunately the plexy will be delievered at the end of the week), here some pics with the brand new Tufnol/Micarta slidings well positioned and original seal mounted!

I have slightly enlarged the top teak handle, in order to better manoeuvre the hatch, picture as soon as it will be finally installed!

Fair winds!

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

Here you are, the new one is slightly more "fat" than the original and a bit delicate original handle !

sliding hatch before rebuilding (September 2019) with thin handle

New Handle built (just waiting for the plexy)

Dear Matteo,

The pictures you posted of yur new hatch, original design, are very helpful to me.  Appears to be beautiful workmanship.  Recently, you mailed me building digrams which are now supplemented here.  Thank you.  Would you be so kind as to take additional pictures?  Specifically, I am interested in seeing the underside of the hatch.

I think I understand how the sliding hatch opens and closes but since I do not have one on my boat, and have only once examined a working one on a member's boat, I would like additional information before I draw up my own plans for the building process.

Wishing you well druing the shut-in.

Fair winds and following seas,

Chris Mabel's Casse Tete  43/003

Dear Chris,

yes of course, as soon as I will be able to go to the shipyard again I will take more pictures (in Italy the lockdown is now 75%, I went yesterday with a special permission, but police is everywhere and they are very committed not to permit people travelling, in particular within Italian different regions -and Vanessa is in Tuscany while I  am in Lombardy).

Fair winds and stay safe!

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

Dear Matteo,

Thank you.  There is no rush.  I have so many projects that this one will likely not be undertaken until this fall.

Fair winds,

Chris Mabel's Casse Tete  43/003

Dear Chris,

while I am still far from the boat (because of the lock.down I will be allowed to leave Milan after June 3rd, and Vanessa will go back to water on June 17th), I have just received this picture from the yard. The plexy arrived last night and the sliding hatch has finally been re installed, as perfect as it was when it was designed by Rod Stephens and built by mother Nautor!

The only modification is the teak handle on top of the curved plexy, which is slightly bigger, in order to be more strong and comfortable when opening/closing the hatch.

Fair winds!

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

PS the boat behind Vanessa is MAIT II, a Sparkman&Stephens yawl built by Baglietto in 1958; Pezzini is rebuilding her 

Dear Matteo,

WOW!  Fabulous.  A work of art.  Thank you and best of luck with the launch in June.

Best wishes to you and your family for health.

Chris  Mabel's Casse Tete 43/003

Dear Friends,

previous and first Vanessa's Owner kindly sent me some photos of Vanessa, and this is a comparison of the forwarding hatch, during her very first sailing, in Germany, 1985, and today, built excatly at her original specification.

Can't see to sail again and among other things check if it is water tight as it has been for her first 35 years...!

Fair winds!

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

Congratulations, Matteo.  Perfect

Dear Matteo,

Are the hatch latches custom Nautor or can one source them from a vendor, prefereable in the U.S.?

Fair Winds,

Chris  Mabel's Casse Tete 43/003

Dear Friends,

I have been asked to post  details of the gasket, which does not exist anymore in production, for the forward sliding hatch (Nautor # 10544), so, attached a detailed image and millimetric measurments.

As far as I know Pezzini shypyard (they are now rebuilding another S&S Swan 47, which will be back into the water in a couple of months) is now trying to find out a producer to have some stuff custom made, I will keep this forum posted.

Fair winds!

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)