Just pull the pin on the actuator and lift the hatch with your hands. Prop it up with a 2x4. I have done this on my boat when an actuator failed. It was not a big deal
Engine Hatch?
- Thread starter BillinPA
- Start date
- Mar 8, 2012
- 222
- Boat Info
- 350 Sundancer Coupe 2020
Prior
310 Sundancer 2015
- Engines
- Dual Horizon 8.2 V Drive
Never tried to lift it myself but I was under the impression that these hatches weigh hundreds of pounds / need a lift of somesort?
stelios hondrcolos
Active Member
- Apr 11, 2021
- 175
- Boat Info
- 300
- Engines
- 350 Mag
Easier said than done. A few issues
1. My forearm will not fit thru the 4'' access plate to reach the pin. I had to cut and put a bigger 6 inch inspection plate and hole in to get my elbow in
2. The pin may be corroded and difficult to pull, especially with your weight on the hatch. I had to pry the hatch up just abit and shim it in place to free up the pin.
3. Leverage and the angle is tough to pull the pin straight out. Some people tie a line to the pin and with a pulley or two run it to the hole to be able to pull it straight out
4. When my mechanic replaced the hatch ram, he removed the hatch release pin and replaced it with a nut and bolt. If the ram failed again there was no way to detach it from the hatch from above! Luckily I caught it and bought a new release pin from McMaster and keep it greased.
They dont weigh hundreds of pounds, maybe 100. But they are awkward and for many its a 2 person job to lift and block it. I recall running a safety line from the hole up and around the arch. ( tied the line around the middle of a short 2x4, stuck vertically down the hole, and then placed it horizontally across the hole to pull it up.
RollerCoastr
Well-Known Member
- Nov 15, 2007
- 3,884
- Boat Info
- 1997 400DA
340HP 7.4 Mercruiser Bluewaters
Garmin 741, 742, 8212, 24HD, Intellian I2
- Engines
- 1999 280BR
Twin 250HP Merc 350 Alpha Ones
I misplaced mine before ever using it, but my '97 400DA came with one too, and I believe the manual for the 280BR suggests the same method. I just use shore power and the charger.
I have to deal with this soon: the batteries in the 280 are beyond dead and the actuator isn't making a sound even with shore power. I'm hoping I can avoid needing to pull the pin.
OMG…. Pulling the pins is easy…. Get a 4’ 2x4 keep it close….. lift the hatch and you’re done…… you can do it !!!
Some boats don't have that little access plate to get to the pin.
That’s a first….. that doesn’t even make sense…. if the actuator is down how do you get to it?
RollerCoastr
Well-Known Member
- Nov 15, 2007
- 3,884
- Boat Info
- 1997 400DA
340HP 7.4 Mercruiser Bluewaters
Garmin 741, 742, 8212, 24HD, Intellian I2
- Engines
- 1999 280BR
Twin 250HP Merc 350 Alpha Ones
Just to clarify, holding the rocker switch at the dash is easy. Reaching my hand down into an access hole in hopes of locating a cotter pin, pulling it, then lifting and propping-up a waterlogged hatch without dropping it onto my fingers is...
I dunno, can I just change a Merc impeller instead?
LOL…. You guys kill meJust to clarify, holding the rocker switch at the dash is easy. Reaching my hand down into an access hole in hopes of locating a cotter pin, pulling it, then lifting and propping-up a waterlogged hatch without dropping it onto my fingers is...
I dunno, can I just change a Merc impeller instead?
