Need cabinate latch info for circa 1997 models

[Rich Stidger]

I need to order some more female latches for my 1997 h40.5. These latches will not tolerate any misalignment at all. I have several locations (refrigerator lid especially) that are extremely difficult to align and consequently I end up replacing at least one every summer.

These come in three strengths of springs. The spring are color coded and I think my springs are silver in color which would indicate a 5# pull.

Does anyone know for sure what strength these latches are? Or if you are at you boat, can you look and reply to this thread asap. I have to order today so I can get them by the weekend.

I realize that I can order directly from Hunter but I really need just the female half and they only sell in complete sets. In the past I have ordered directly from Southco.

 

[Vinny]

Rich,

Why not from Hunter. The most expensive part is the Female. Now that I think of it that in fact reflects real life.

Sorry POL.

 

[Mike H.]

I just bought some

I just bought some from Jamestown Distributors. My invoice says they are 5#. I paid $ 13.42 each! I didn't know they came in different wieghts. I robbed all of the latches from my refrigerator to replace broken cabinet latches. My refer lid stays down OK without the latches. There were four latches on the refer. I suspect at least one on each side broke right after installation when the boat was built, as you said in your post, "alignment is critical". How can you get two of these little POS's to align and work together is beyond me.

Side note, I replaced the gas springs on the refer lids last year.

 

[Rick D]

I recall ordering the 805's but really don't recall what the original equipment is and it won't do any good for me to look on the boat since I have no idea which ones are original if any. I got mine from one of Southco's reps altho Southco ultimately offered to send direct. The last time I got a bag of 20, so I'm set.

 

[Rick D]

One More Thing...

...on the new latches, the male side is longer. All you have to do is cut it down and drill fresh mounting screw holes though (on the male side of the latch).

 

[Steve W]

Rich, is there a problem just replacing the latches with new and using the existing screw holes? I just did that on my '97 376 for both the freezer and reefer lids.

Of course I then realized that the factory installed gaskets were shot and I was leaking out the cold air. Definitely failed the dollar bill test. So now I'm in the middle of replacing the gaskets themselves. I got the replacement gasketing from Hunter but the installation is much more of a project than I originally thought - but that's a story for another post <g>!

 

[Rich Stidger]

Thanks to all. I have ordered from my local Southco distributor in Burlington, MA. I got ten C3-805 for $52 including shipping. I think that is the combination of both the female and male parts. With luck I will have them this weekend.

 

[Mike H.]

Thanks to all. I have ordered from my local Southco distributor in Burlington, MA. I got ten C3-805 for $52 including shipping. I think that is the combination of both the female and male parts. With luck I will have them this weekend.

That's a great price. I paid that for three! What is Southco?

 

[Rick D]

Here is a link to Southco: http://www.southco.com/

 

[Steve Dion]

Rich: Try Reid Supply Co. I got mine through Amazon for a little over $4 ea.

 

[Steve Dion]

Rich:

Here is the link. http://www.amazon.com/Force-Southco-Grabber-Catches-Side-Mount/dp/B002I03LEM/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_2

I am not sure, but it appears that these units have been modified slightly. The new ones I got look like they are a little more robust and will take a better beating. They also require you to drill a new hole for the fixed portion (male end).

 

[Rich Stidger]

Yes, I am aware of the change in the male half- the keeper. It is longer and slightly higher. Installation of the new HD keeper requires new mounting holes and a re-adjustment of the female catch to account for the higher profile of the keeper.

The good news is that the new keeper will probably not break again. The bad news is that in some installations, the longer length cannot be accommodated and thus the new keeper must be cut down in length. Cutting is down and re-drilling mounting holes to align with the original keeper do weaken the HD keeper.