Engine hatches are concave

[Seif911]

Good Morning All,
So the engine hatches can support my weight with now problems, however they are concave, by maybe 3/4" dip in the middle. Any thoughts on how to fix this? Can I just rip the wood off it from below and then replace it with new wood to straighten it?
Thanks,
Steve

[waybomb]

My engine hatches are all fiberglass. If yours a underpinned with wood, and the wood is shot, I'd try to remove the wood, replace it while getting the hatches staright, and then form some fiberglass ribs to keep it level and strong.

But that's what I would do, maybe not what you should do!

[Seif911]

I believe the top is fiberglass but the bottom is wood based. I'll try one first and see if I can pull the wood off and straighten it with new wood like u suggest.
Thanks,
Steve

[waybomb]

I would then glass the wood in and also form some extra support so they don't bend again.

[henry]

I had the same problem with my 1987 carver mariner . the bottom of the hatches is covered with fiberglass. sandwiched inbetween is wood in small rectangles like a parkay flooring. u have to cut the bottom fiberglass as close to the edge and possible to gain access to the wood. most of the wood pieces will just fall out however a lot will still attached with the resin to the upper fiberglass. takes time to free them with a putty knife. ones i had mine cleaned out i used a cut to fit piece of marine plywood 3/4 in thick sealed the wood with paint and installed with a silicone sealant.