JEM Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 For anyone who dislikes the straps holding the forward hatch lids, and anyone who dislikes the way the two aft corner hatch lids lay against the gunnel (and causes chips in either the hatch lid or the gunnel, or both), I did this easy upgrade with gas shocks. This little project only took a few hours and for not a whole lot of money (probably have about $180 in the parts), and boy, it's a big improvement. The aft hatch lids stay closed when you unhook the rubber latch, but just give the lid a little boost, and it opens by itself and then stops upright, BUT, before it hits the gunnel. I thought some of you might like to try it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smooth move Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 nice job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted May 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 Thanks. It was worth the time and money, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phinz13 Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 Nice - where did you get the straps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 Looks good. Kind of makes you wonder why you waited so long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted May 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 I have only had the boat for 6 months. You can order the gas shocks from Ray at Pathfinder through any Pathfinder dealer. I ordered the brackets from Boat Outfitters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinbill85 Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Can you tell me how long the front and rear shocks are that you installed? I want to do something like this being as they don't make direct swap friction hinges for MBC yet. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted May 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 The shocks are Ameritool. They are 15 inch extended, 9 inch compressed, with 30 lbs of pressure. The cheapest way to buy them are through Pathfinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 nice job ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarpon1215 Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 How long are the screws? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted May 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 In the hatch lids, I used SS 12 x 1/2" pan screws to attach the brackets (I coated the screws and the bracket with 4200 also. The 4200 on the bracket is very important since there is not much for the screws to hold onto Make sure you drill a slightly smaller hole so the screws grab the glass as tight as possible). The hatches are of course hollow, so you want to be careful to drill only through the bottom panel of fiberglass. I drilled all the way through the glass in the gutter and through bolted the brackets on the other end(also used 4200 on the brackets and machine screws) using machine screws and lock nuts. I think I used 10 x 1" (or 3/4", can't remember) The machine screws go in from top to bottom, and I used the SS lock nuts underneath. None of this shows when the hatch lid is closed......it's covered up. You only see the head of the machine screws in the gutter when you open the hatch. Most professionals probably measure twice and drill once. I measured 15 times and drilled once. LOL PS, I did all this because I have always disliked the canvas strap, looks chinzy to me. I don't need the straps, and could remove them, but since I don't need them at all now, I just figured I would leave them on for backup! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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