Need assistance please.. engine hatch lift

[supertic2004]

Hello all,

I am new to the boating world, recently picking up an '87 FW 211 Liberator. I fell in love with the boat when I heard the 454 fire up for the first time. Kind of like Tim Allen would on Tool Time...

Reason for the posting, is I am looking for help, suggestions on how to solve my enging hatch lift problem. The guy I bought the boat from added an electric release from a cadi on it, which sounds cool, but has given me nothing but problems. Especially when it is closed and I have to remove the screws to open the hatch.

I would really appreciate any feed back... Thanks Tj

 

[oops!]

Re: Need assistance please.. engine hatch lift

hi.....welcome to i boats....best boating forum in the world.

most hatches have uphostery pulls on them.
just straps of upholstery attached to the hatch that you grab and pull.

as far as the caddy thing......COOL.....too bad you cant make that idea work !

 

[salty87]

Re: Need assistance please.. engine hatch lift

from a cadillac? in the engine compartment? sounds a little sketchy.

you can get gas shocks.

 

[supertic2004]

Re: Need assistance please.. engine hatch lift

Thanks for the response... It is kind of cool... When it works! Unfortunately, I don't see any straps to pull on and besides I don't see how that would help me once the hatch is secured to the latch. Luckily, when closed it isn't flush, so I have room to get to the bracket where it is secured to and take it off. Is there places that sell manual latches, kind of like the ones on car hoods, I can put on, so if for whatever reason the electrical fails, I don't have to worry about not being able to open the engine compartment? Or maybe add one so if it does fail I can open it, like in newer model car trunks?

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Need assistance please.. engine hatch lift

you can get gas shocks.

this is what most boats have. The liberator may be different becuase it is built for more speed than most boats. But like said above, with gas shocks set up right on each side, and the upholstery loops to stick out, you should be good to go. You will have to make the loops, but its no big deal. then, if keeping it secure is still an issue, you can make nylon webbed straps that snap somewhere under the gunnels, behind the seat cushions, etc. That should keep it from popping open while under way.

 

[supertic2004]

Re: Need assistance please.. engine hatch lift

Right now, I have the struts on either side, which work great. It's just that dam motor works when it wants to. I understand the loops and is a good idea. I ll ask my girl to put something together since she is the upholsterer... as far as the latch is concerned, what should I do with that?