need help with front hatch?

[Vin Rodriguez]

i just bought my new 2012 ride 135. i havent used it yet and was reading on the leaking hatch problem. well i wanted to tryy it out so i hosed it down yesterday after noon and found that the front hatch does leak quite a bit. is there a place where i can buy a new seal or install a seal that will prevent water going in. im a little concerned as i will be using this during surf launches in northern california and the waves can get gnarly. i would like to make sure i dont take on water as i launch through the waves. any suggestions out there? thanks for any help given.

Regards,

Vin

[Mike McKee]

I have two Tarpons (120 & 140) and yes the front hatches leak. I contacted Wilderness, which wasn't easy. They sent new gaskets, that helped, but the front hatch still leaks. I asked about changing to the tupperware, but Wilderness doesn't have and doesn't know of one on the market. My next attempt for a fix may be Santoprene Foam Cord.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,5204.0.html

If you do find something that's reliable please post it,

Mike

[Ashley Williams]

How much of a leak are you having? No kayak company makes a 100% sealed hatch or storage system. There has to be some breathing room for moisture and heat buildup to escape. If it has to stay dry, it has to go into a dry box or dry bag.

[Rob Knoles]

They tend to leak quite a bit on my 135 also. The older Tupperware lids were better.

[Mike McKee]

I ended up with about a cup of water in mine, some on the water and some when I washed them afterward. I was able to get replacement gaskets from Wilderness through a rep. Now I prop the hatch open at home, being careful to keep the hatch open, off the gasket so it can expand, I put a piece of wood under the locks.  

[Dwayne Sudduth]

This is odd, I have a 2012 Ride and the only time I got water in the front hatch was when I hit a tree sideways after sliding out of a Z-shaped chute and the front was driven under water. I've washed my kayak at the carwash several times and I maybe get a teaspoon of water under the high pressure spray. 

[Mike McKee]

Whats your gasket made of? Last weekend I went to Halfmoon Bay for a little crab and rock fish, turned out visibility was to poor to go out so I drove home in the rain, about an hour and a half in pretty heavy rain. I had more water inside than I've ever had. My guess I warped the lid by propping it open too far.

[Dwayne Sudduth]

The front hatch has the foam hatch gasket, much like weatherstripping in a door frame. I have never experienced any leakage. 

[George Saaiman]

I see that other kayak makers are using a 3 point latch system. I.ve always felt that the 2 latches on the Orbix was too far apart and that it couldn't form a good seal and that the three point latch system will also help with warped hatches. Does anyone know if WS will be implementing this option in the future? When trying to keep the inside of the boat as dry as possible don't forget the middle hatch. I wet the rubber gasket every time i'm on the water and it makes a huge difference. Ive also put plumbers tape at the back of the gasket making for a better fit and i can truly say that it is now waterproof. If WS can give a foam gasket on the front hatch that is a little wider hight wise i think it would also make a huge difference. Also make sure that the leash keeping the hatch from opening too wide is on the inside of the hatch...when it lays across the gasket it can let in a lot of water!

Hope this helps.

George