Scary Moment

[JoseGaspar]

So, finally was able to get out into the Gulf for some Grouper fishing on Saturday.  Hit our hole 25 miles out in 80 feet and we were kicking some Grouper a$$.  Had 11 keepers in the boat in a few hours.  I bag a 24" red and ask my son to open the hatch for the fish box on my 25" CCP.  He opens it and slips.  His foot slides toward opening and, in the process, he drops the hatch and it fillets his large toenail completely off.  Had his toe been parallel to the opening instead of facing down, I fear he could have lost the whole toe.  Does anyone make some hydraulic assist or gas pressured supports similar to what you would find on the hatch of an SUV for these?  Could I easily use the automotive equivalent or would the salt water completely destroy them on an annual basis?  Trying to avoid a similar situation in the future as those hatch covers are awfully heavy and there are a lot of bare feet around.

Thanks,
JG

[daniel123]

I just ordered a set of gas-assisted supports for my 170's forward hatch from New Jersey-based Whitecap (www.whitecapindustries.net). They come in stainless, but I got black-coated since I am in freshwater.

Dan

[seabob4]

JG,
Call Mahoneys, see what they have in stock.  A lot of companies make them, including Attwood.  I think you'd want around 20 lb shocks.  Remember the ball stud hardware for each end...

[flounderpounder225]

JG,
Call Mahoneys, see what they have in stock.  A lot of companies make them, including Attwood.  I think you'd want around 20 lb shocks.  Remember the ball stud hardware for each end...

The struts in stainless are very expensive, but you can get the ball stud mounting hardware in stainless pretty cheap, then every now and then just spray some "fluid Film" http://www.fluid-film.com on the struts, that will keep them from corroding for quite some time.  The stuff leaves a good coating that lasts quite a while.

[TheKid]

What about a cheap spring?

Stainless, long, with tight coils oriented so that is bent when hatch closed and straight when open. To close the hatch you just knock the spring and it shuts.

I've seen them used for this in other applications.

Just a thought. If this doesnt make sense I can provide a dwg.

[JoseGaspar]

Thanks guys, several good options here.  Much appreciated.

JG

[Capt. Bob]

I have the "spring" on two of my hatches on the WAC. They work fine but...

Insert the spring into your story because when you bump them in, they collapse. Your boy's foot could have just as easily clipped the spring as it was going in the box.
Not knocking the idea, as I said, I have two on my smaller hatches so....

Here's where I bought my hatch struts. You can get everything you need from these folks.
http://www.ameritoolmfg.com/

They were first recommended back a few years ago by SB4 and I've had mine for about two years. Well made and support the cabin hatch (yes, it's lighter than a fish box cover) but you can talk with them and they will recommend what you need. I believe SB said they were a vendor used by Aqua, Wellcraft and others.

Price is as always...
You get what you pay for.

The spring has it's place and they are inexpensive when compared to a gas strut made in stainless.

What's your toe/finger(s) worth?

Good luck.

[Capt Matt]

Gas struts are awesome, had them on the hatches of my flatsboat, they lasted for ever and took quite a bit of force to push down closed
Capt Matt

[seabob4]

As CB said, Ameritool is the deal.  Strut ratings etched in to the housing, so no decals to wear off and then you have no idea what poundage rating they are...

[gran398]

Ditto on not going with the springs, a foot engages those springs and it's goodnight Irene.

Hope he is okay.

The pistons are perfect, but another solution could be a stainless or aluminum mechanical support/stay like those used on large windshield openings.

[John Jones]

The Bennett people had a hydraulic hatch lifter last time I looked.

http://bennetttrimtabs.com/hatchlifting ... .php?cID=5

[jahoward1]

Anybody who has one of these installed, could you post a pic?--even a PM.  Something else I never thought of and I fish with my family as much as possible--a wife, a daughter and two sons.  This definitely seems like something I should look into.  


James H

[Capt. Bob]

Anybody who has one of these installed, could you post a pic?

Not sure if you were concerned with the spring or looking for the hydraulic so...

Here's the spring on a small hatch on my 91 WAC


Slight pressure on the backside will cause the spring to collapse and allow hatch closure.


Inadvertently striking the spring will cause it to collapse and the hatch lid fall. Happens often on my hatchs when trying to get bulkier items in or out. Not the end of the world in this case because the hatch is small and somewhat light but...

A big, heavy lid would get your attention when you least expect it. :o

[seabob4]

Don't know if this helps, it's just on a sink lid, light duty stuff.  But it does show the mounting hardware (ball stud mount) as well as the strut...




That's an Ameritool strut...

[JoseGaspar]

Hi guys, thanks again for all of the reponses and insight.  Some of you have asked about my son Nick and he is just fine, just gonna take a while for it to grow back I presume.

JG