Engine Hatch Actuator

CaptianDan

Calling all experts!!  Does anyone know the throw of the actuator to open the engine hatch on a Rinker 342 Fiesta Vee?  I know the actual length is 17". Thanks!

Stodge

Enough to let you in, but not enough to be comfortable when you're in the bilge.

MarkB

If my boat wasn't at the dealer being winterized, I would have checked it tonight for you. Sorry. I might have a picture of it open with me in the bilge. Would you be able to get a rough measurement from that?

Black_Diamond

I can measure mine this weekend. You would need to verify the mounting locations in case they differ. 

CaptianDan

Thanks @markbellino but I probably wouldn't be able to gauge it correctly.  Thanks @black_diamond that would be great! 

Lifes Good

My 320 is about 3.5 feet.  Enough to stand straight up via the bilge.  I am 5'10.

RWBLACK6

Capt. Dan;  my 2004 342,measured this summer. My note says ;  The piston length is24 1/2 inches from top of tube to the top pin on hatch, when fully raised. From bottom pin to top pin , when raised is 51 7/8 inches.  [ Bottom pin hooks the tube to the floor bracket] 

Stodge

I would think the kind of lift used in the 342 can only go double it's length, and we're constrained by the amount of space between the bottom of the hatch and the attachment point of the lift.  Now if you could find a 3 segment lift that could go more than double it's closed length you could have the hatch open nice and wide.  But I'm going to guess that something like that is very expensive.

MarkB

How much clearance is on the other side of the stern seat. I don't think I could add another 50% lift without the rumbler seat hitting the swim deck.

MarkB

No I don't. I have the 260.

Black_Diamond

24" is about the max you'll find in these actuators for stroke length with a single screw.  Segmented actuators let you get the stroke length and be compact when retracted, but unless you are willing to break out the MAJOR dollars for this it's not really feasable..and then they usually are hydraulic driven so you need pump, tank, valves and the power to run it too.

We made the wing sweep actuator for the B-1 bomber, dual telescoping ball screw actuator.  I think it was a 12' stroke length..a monster.  You don't want to know the cost  lol

CaptianDan

Perfect thanks @rwblack6 

Michael T

Well Steve I don't know what the "longest one" is that you can get on your 342. I do know what the "longest one" you can get on a 360 is - and I bet it's longer than the one on your 342!  LOL MT

MarkB

If you move the cam closer to the hinge point won't it open more? 

Lifes Good

Careful mark... looks like a 340+ discussion only...  

Dream_Inn

BD, I used to do some work on the bomber as well, at Edwards and TX.

I agree with you all on the 342s hatch.  I work more in the 342s than I do in my own boat and they are a real pain.  The 2003 has to be the absolute worst and the only way to do anything is remove the pin and tilt it all the way back.  2004 and up at least give you some room in front of the engines.

MT...aahhhmmm, let's talk about length of actuator. 

Dream_Inn

RY, that's good, cause with the age of your actuator it could be concern.

raybo3

I find a little lube helps with it moving smoother.......LOL

Black_Diamond

DI: did the 2004+ 342's move the firewall more towards the bow or did they move the transom back (where outdrives mount)?

Dream_Inn

They moved the transom back.  On 2003 there was larger 'shelf' behind the transom.  I believe this was an area for the outdrives to tuck more underneath.  It narrowed the engine room easily 1-2ft.  That's a lot of space to add between the firewall and the engines.  That shelf also collected water. No difference in cockpit area.  I have 3 close friends in my marina that own a 2003, 2004, and 2005 342.  Always fun to do some comparing.

Black_Diamond

That makes sense.  Sure would be nice to have that room..and it does collect water :P  I bet performance helped too moving it back. 

Black_Diamond

Back to the actuator...Mark made a comment about moving the mounting location to get the hatch to open more.  You can certainly do this to a point: a 24" stroke actuator will be near 33" long when retracted, so it may be limited as to the position it can be mounted based on the hatch to mount location distance.  Then you have the physics involved: the farther away from the hatch hinge you mount the actuator, the less load on the actuator (Force x Length)..moving the mount point closer to the hinges dramatically increases the load on the actuator and the stresses at the mounting locations (one could in theory drive the actuator right through the hatch!), it can cause you to have to get a higher rated actuator also.  The power requirements jump as you add load to the actuator too (motor amperage draw).  So you have to wander through the desicion points for an optimal solution based on the application.

Black_Diamond

At least on mine: no. Rinker (smartly) installed a linear slip collar at the mount side at the hatch. Mine allows about 4" of play so you cannot retract it and rip it off the mount. 

You can buy these with setable limit switches just for this reason. 

Mike_G

Stodge said:

Enough to let you in, but not enough to be comfortable when you're in the bilge.

LOL.. So True!  My 2014 260 doesn't even go up enough to let me sit with my legs hanging in.  I have to lie down on my stomach and reach.  Sort of useless.

I'm going to see if I can get it open and then pop off the pin and prop it up higher.

EDIT: Sorry.. just read that this is a "342 thread".. didn't know.

-=Mike G.

DerekD71

Look for a hatch actuator for my 2007 Rinker express cruiser 350 anyone selling or know of manufacturer, before I brought the boat I think someone stole it 

Pat310

This is the label from my’03 310. Probably same manufacturer but not sure on model #

redlightning

oh god! good luck getting anywhere with Acculift.  I tried for 2 weeks.  Emails, website contact, phone number of person inside the company in the us.  emails to her as well.  No response period.  I just, today, ordered two new actuators from summit racing marine division.  they sell eddie marine actuators.  just get the specs and go eslewhere.  Acculift is a canadian company and they are either out of business or just DGAF.

bella-vita

I ordered one from Hardin marine last year,I’m happy with it

Aqua_Aura

I was under the impression acculift didn't exist anymore when I researched a few years ago. There was another brand I ended up looking into but fixed my current lift instead. 


Didn't know summit had them. 

https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/linear-actuators/product-line/eddie-marine-hatch-actuators