1999 270 sundancer engine hatch

[wvflyboy]

I'm a newbie... just took delivery of my boat last thursday. Is there some trick to getting the engine hatch open. There's a small round handle that pulls up from the floor... I'm a pretty big boy but I can't seem to budge it... Am I missing something? Help!

 

[Groucho]

There is supposed to be a gas assist on the hatch...I would think without it it might be very heavy to lift. I had a 1999 270 for a few years and know that it is heavy even with the assist. I used to use the table to push on to help get the first few inches, then it comes up easy once it's half open.

 

[Presentation]

Is it possible the previous owner added a hydraulic lifter? If so, there should be a button at the dash.

If no hydraulic lifter, try using a rope thru the handle so you can pull at a better angle.

I agree with Groucho, there are two gas assist devices on the hatch, one on each side. They are similar to the gas assist devices you see on the hatch of a mini-fan and they only last so long. 10 years is about the limit.

Once you get the hatch open about 6 to 10 inches, the gas assist devices should open the hatch the rest of the way and hold the hatch open for you. If the hatch does not stay open on its own, the gas assist devices need replacement.

 

[wvflyboy]

Thanks all... I'll try the rope trick... Does the seat have to be folded up before I do it or does it fold by itself?

Thanks again.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Which 270 do you have? There was a wide-beam and a narrow-beam(SE). Off the top of my head, I can't recall the exact configuration, but if there are posts/tubes holding up the seat, look at where they go into the floor for a hinge. The seat would also be attached to the transom wall with a full length hinge. In that case, yes, you can leave it in place.

 

[island trek1]

I have a 1998 SR 270SE. My boat has three seperate hatches to get to the engine compartment. The bench seat MUST be in the folded position and out of the way. Pull on the round handle and the hatches should pull up easily and individually. There are no hinges and the hatches can be removed and placed out of the way completely. This gives you plenty of room to access the engine on both sides or the batteries or the holding and water tanks. Unless of course you have 2 screws, which makes it bit tighter. I have owned my boat for 5 years and have been very happy with her. Congrats on your new boat!

 

[wvflyboy]

I have a 1998 SR 270SE. My boat has three seperate hatches to get to the engine compartment. The bench seat MUST be in the folded position and out of the way. Pull on the round handle and the hatches should pull up easily and individually. There are no hinges and the hatches can be removed and placed out of the way completely. This gives you plenty of room to access the engine on both sides or the batteries or the holding and water tanks. Unless of course you have 2 screws, which makes it bit tighter. I have owned my boat for 5 years and have been very happy with her. Congrats on your new boat!

Thanks for the advice. I have the wider model... I went back and forth between the 270 and 260... but finally came down on the side of the 270. I'm looking forward to my first summer on the river with her.

 

[Loneranger]

I believe you have the same basic boat as I do. Is it hard to lift up or can you not get it open at all? If you cannot get it open at all, it is likley the T handle latch. You have to lift up the T handle then rotate it 90 degrees before lifting. Sometimes mine is finicky and requires some finesse.

John

 

[wvflyboy]

I believe you have the same basic boat as I do. Is it hard to lift up or can you not get it open at all? If you cannot get it open at all, it is likley the T handle latch. You have to lift up the T handle then rotate it 90 degrees before lifting. Sometimes mine is finicky and requires some finesse.

John

Mine is a round flat handle... I'll try rotating it and see if that works.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Mine is a round flat handle... I'll try rotating it and see if that works.

No, it's just a simple handle. It pulls up just to give you something to grab.

As noted above, are you sure the previous owner didn't install an electric lift?

Other than that, pull harder. :smt001

 

[Stray Cat]

I don't want to be a smarty here, but....are you standing on the hatch? I actually saw this at a gas dock once.....

 

[Lazy Daze]

I don't want to be a smarty here, but....are you standing on the hatch? I actually saw this at a gas dock once.....

HA! I was just going to write the same thing!!!! :smt043

 

[wvflyboy]

No, it's just a simple handle. It pulls up just to give you something to grab.

As noted above, are you sure the previous owner didn't install an electric lift?

Other than that, pull harder. :smt001

No electric lift... saw the mechanic open it once when we had the sea trial... he didn't seem to have to pull too hard on it.

 

[wvflyboy]

I don't want to be a smarty here, but....are you standing on the hatch? I actually saw this at a gas dock once.....

NO! (Of course you don't think I'd admit it if I was do you?)

... but seriously... I wasn't standing on the hatch... honestly!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Try pulling the rear seat's legs out of their holes and collapsing the seat into the transom. Maybe the hinges (at the bottom of the seat posts) are frozen. Other than that, maybe one of the gas supports are frozen.

Is the gap along the rear edge of the hatch clear of foreign material (make sure nothing's wedged in there).

If the hatch isn't moving at all, I'd venture a guess that one or both of the gas struts are frozen. Jiggle it, pull it, jiggle it, etc.

By any chance are you in a colder climate where there could be ice in the "track" that the hatch sits in?

Did the previous owner install any type of latching mechanism? Look around the edges of the hatch.

 

[Loneranger]

So your handle is just for lifting and does not latch?

My handle lifts up and then I have to rotate it 90 degrees to be able to lift up the hatch. If I do not rotate the handle there is a latching mechanism that is engaged and you cannot lift the hatch.

John

 

[boatrboy]

I have the same boat and have to pull hard to get the hatch far enough for the gas assist to take over. My handle is a simple round shaft with a simple round head on it, no twisting or turning. If it is really stuck, just put one of the aluminum table poles in the holder on the hatch and use that to help you lift it. Of course this assumes there is no power assist added by someone, and since you watched the mechanic open it, it appears that is not the case.

 

[Groucho]

:huh: Hire out for a crane? :huh:

 

[Presentation]

I don't want to be a smarty here, but....are you standing on the hatch? I actually saw this at a gas dock once.....

NO! (Of course you don't think I'd admit it if I was do you?)

... but seriously... I wasn't standing on the hatch... honestly!

Is someone else standing on the hatch when you are trying to open it? (just kidding)

Seriously, I also need to flip my T handle on the hatch up, turn it 90 degrees so a little bar attached to the underside of the handle beneath the hatch is not under a metal strap that is on the lip beneath the hatch then pull the T handle very hard.

If you think this thing is complex, just wait til you find out the cabin door lock has 3 positions, not 2.

 

[jsea558]

I have a 1998 270 Sundancer(wide beam) and the seat comes up with the hatch because the the legs are hinged at the bottom where they meet the hatch. I have the same round pull handle, and the 2 assist pistons. That initial pull is hard, but then it opens pretty easily. If you can't find a switch for a power assist, and still can't open the hatch, maybe try calling the previous owner or dealer where you purchased the boat. They must have had it open at some point. Good Luck