Deck hatch broken in two on holiday weekend. What to do?
 

I loosened the locking hardware gave a couple of forceful pushes and to my surprise the hatch split in two. The 2 white hatches on my boat are difficult to open as the rubber seal sticks to the plexiglass especially on a hot day. I believe Fountain made these hatches so a visit to a marine store won't do. My boat being a 1997 and the newer models hatches looking different from what I can see has me more concerned . Maybe I'll call Fountain next week and in the meantime remove the hatch in case they need to match it I can send it back to the factory. If anyone has any thoughts or insight please chyme in.

was always afraid of that with mine. You will have to call the factory. Hopefully you will have good luck. I had to get new cabin door 7-8 yrs ago and it was fine. Only problem will be if it comes with hinge on it it won't line up.

Tape it up with Gorilla Tape or Shrink Wrap tape for the time being, and enjoy your weekend.
Once you have yourself straight again, use some Dielectric Silicone to lube up and 'refresh' the silicone and keep it from sticking.

Any good plexiglass or plastic places should be able to make one.
I had the piece inside where the switches are held made local, cheap and much harder then a hatch to make.

Thanks to all for help on this.

I happen to know a guy who had the plexiglass blow out of one while crossing the gulf stream, and it just happened to slice his forehead open 1/2 way between the Bahamas and Florida on it's way East. At least you fared better than he. :D

I am lucky no face repairs

Send it to Tap Plastics. They can make a new one.

I called Fountain and a new one was ordered for $337." 8-12 weeks for delivery" but likely will be here much sooner. It comes with all mounted hardware ready to put in. The material may otherwise be difficult to match so I stuck with Fountain.They had records from my hull ID# that they referenced. Will see? I'll put the old broken hatch back on with shrinkwrap tape since they don't need mine to match up.Otherwise it's a hazard of someone falls in with the tape job on there now.

I had to replace one of the cabin doors. Came from Fountain with hinge already installed. Plug and play. Had a slight color difference. Was more whiter or translucent from original, forget which was which . But those are adjoining doors so more noticeable. A hatch shouldn't be noticeable at all if not a perfect match