Front Hatch Adjuster?

[coldnorthtoy]

Hi all:

My front hatch has no 'strut;' there is no way to keep it half-up,
other than sticking an empty can of cashews in it - which, while
effective, is denting the hell out of the seal.

I noticed that a previous owner had tried to put a strut on it - one
of those adjusting kinds - but removed it; I'm assuming it didn't work
as it wouldn't have been pivoting on the same plane as the hatch hinge.

How have you folks dealt with this? I'm not really sure how to
proceed. I was going to add a spacer block to get the strut
perpendicular to the hinge, but now I'm worried that the block would
probably sheer off with enough load.

Thanks!

Jonathan
2221

 

[rchrdcoe]

I purchased a hatch adjuster at West Marine. Built up a small boss
using epoxy putty on the side of the hatch opening to correct the
alignment. Worked ok.
Richard

 

[bobnlesafloat]

A Cashew Nut Tin! Far too expensive a solution, what's wrong with a peanut tin?

Spring Fever's strut is present but has lost it's hydraulic action, until I can source a replacement we've got a timber block approx 3" x 6" x 12" with notches on each side that coincide with the downturned edge of the forehatch and seating for same on the foredeck. This one bit of wood gives us the option of having the hatch fully open, 1/2 way, 1/3 way or just a couple of inches.

We've been using it for about 5 years - it works so well I've given up looking for a new strut.

Bob Carlisle