Lifting a Boat Hatch

Easybee

Suggestion on manual lifting the hatch on a 2005 Rinker 342 Fiesta Vee. Disconnect the actuator because it do not work. 

Black_Diamond

That is a big and heavy hatch to be trying to manually open!  Remember the actuator not only raises but holds the hatch closed. 

Lenco sells hatch actuators, along with lots of others. You need to know the closed length, amount of actuator length extended and the lift rating in lbs (these are usually 500lb or 1,000 lb rated).  12vDC powered. 

LaRea

It takes three people.  You can do it with two, but it's not as safe as three.  

Remove as much weight as you can ... seat cushion, fenders, anything heavy from the transom locker.  

To disconnect the actuator, remove the table mount, then reach in and pull the pin at the top of the actuator.  If it has never been done before, you'll need a knife to cut through the insulation.  

Lift the hatch enough to shove a fender into the gap.  Then you can temporarily set the hatch down on the fender, and everybody can reposition themselves as needed.

Then raise the hatch all the way up until it's balanced.  Pull the support leg down, and lower the hatch to rest on the support leg.

LaRea

When you get in, check the metal collar at the top of the actuator.  The collar should slide freely up and down.  The purpose of the collar is to make sure you don't apply tension to the actuator.  (A tension load can cause the gears to bind.)