HewesYourDaddy Posted April 22, 2023 Report Share Posted April 22, 2023 I'm strongly considering adding a tackle hatch on the front side of my console. I've seen a few around that may or may not have been factory installed (they were smaller than ones I've seen located behind the console backrest cushion). Can any of you provide picture and dimensions of some console hatches so that I can get an idea of what I may want? I plan on using it mostly for access to the back of the GPS unit and switch panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted April 22, 2023 Report Share Posted April 22, 2023 Boat is on lift at condo, so no pics or dimensions. But, I have installed a couple over the years. If your intent is to use it for access to the console, install the biggest box that your back rest will cover. The back rest will need to have hinges installed on the bottom and a latch on top. Try to install everything so that the back rest sits on the cooler lid when open. This takes the stress off the hinges. The tackle boxes I'm familiar with have two options with regard to boxes and selves. Some have tackle trays that slide out, like a kitchen drawer. Others have shelves that you sit removable tackle trays on. Put some gasket material around the permitter of the tackle box to keep water out of the console. Good luck, send some pics of the project. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted April 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2023 6 hours ago, SCFD rtrd. said: Boat is on lift at condo, so no pics or dimensions. But, I have installed a couple over the years. If your intent is to use it for access to the console, install the biggest box that your back rest will cover. The back rest will need to have hinges installed on the bottom and a latch on top. Try to install everything so that the back rest sits on the cooler lid when open. This takes the stress off the hinges. The tackle boxes I'm familiar with have two options with regard to boxes and selves. Some have tackle trays that slide out, like a kitchen drawer. Others have shelves that you sit removable tackle trays on. Put some gasket material around the permitter of the tackle box to keep water out of the console. Good luck, send some pics of the project. I do not have a console backrest cushion. It is just bare fiberglass. I rarely have anyone on the boat that sits forward of the console. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted April 23, 2023 Report Share Posted April 23, 2023 Boat outfitters will make one custom based on your dimensions. They are awesome to work with and will work woth you on the design to make sure it is perfect. I am considering the same thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief5130 Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 I added one some time ago. I got the original unit from Cabelas. The door was crap so I changed it. Then I decided that it saw hinged the wrong way so i changed it again. The final version is with the cushion and the pliers on the inside of the door. The top cushion is original to the boat just moved up. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted April 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 29 minutes ago, Chief5130 said: I added one some time ago. I got the original unit from Cabelas. The door was crap so I changed it. Then I decided that it saw hinged the wrong way so i changed it again. The final version is with the cushion and the pliers on the inside of the door. The top cushion is original to the boat just moved up. Very nice. Do you have any dimensions of that specific hatch, and how easy it to remove the inner tray shelves? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief5130 Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 11 hours ago, HewesYourDaddy said: Very nice. Do you have any dimensions of that specific hatch, and how easy it to remove the inner tray shelves? I remove all of the screws around the frame and take the whole unit out. There are 10-24 NC machine screws into SS Tee Nuts that hold it in place. With a power screwdriver it takes about 3 minutes. Except for the inner case and cushion I made all of it. The one with the cushion and the pliers on the inside is the current version. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 Chief - do you have to deal with any water getting into it (and more specifically, the trackle trays)? I've been considering this on my MA, but keep worrying about it getting wet in there when I wash it down or when I run in the rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief5130 Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 No water into the trays. I do get some water (very little) in the bottom of the frame, but only when I wash the boat down and spray it directly with the hose, never from rain or boat spray. I just open it and pull the bottom tray and wipe it down. I think it is one of the best things I have added to the boat and provides excellent access into the console. For access the next best thing I did was taking out the OEM door into the console and putting in a much wider one. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 Your work with Starboard is just amazing, Chiefs ! Thanks for sharing the photos so often ! Mod Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 On 4/24/2023 at 3:59 PM, Moderator said: Your work with Starboard is just amazing, Chiefs ! Thanks for sharing the photos so often ! Mod Marc I have to agree. The Chief does some fine work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 18 hours ago, SCFD rtrd. said: I have to agree. The Chief does some fine work. x2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted April 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 On 4/24/2023 at 12:49 PM, Chief5130 said: For access the next best thing I did was taking out the OEM door into the console and putting in a much wider one. That is nice! You should consider selling those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief5130 Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 5 hours ago, HewesYourDaddy said: That is nice! You should consider selling those. Thanks. I did make a few for some folks a while ago, but 2008 hit and that was the end of that. This was for someone else. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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