Last weekend, I spent some time on a leaking hatch in my sea kayak. I pulled it off, cleaned off the old sealant and resealed it on the deck. I also had to get new locking nuts because they were missing from a few bolts. It worked.

As I tested the new seal, I was reminded of a warning I heard about hatches. Someone said they all leak.

I didn't believe it. I never had a problem with my Inukshuk.

My Chatham leaked because someone had done something very wrong to it. Why else would nuts be missing? The seal was no where close to being tight.

So I got some water and poured it around the day hatch and the stern hatch. Sure enough, water dripped through the seals. And everything seemed to be screwed down tightly.

What's up with that? Is it a flaw in the manufacturing? Do the seals "wear out?" I know salt water is corrosive. But can it work itself into those seals and slowly erode away the seal?

How about user error? Is there a way to make them fail? Conversely, can I baby them to make them last longer?

Let me know what you come up with.

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