I am planning to change my hatch from a rear hinged hatch to two side opening hatches for better access to the engines. Anyone do this on their Formula? What is a good hatch hinge to use for this mod?

Thanks

never seen that one .....would be real difficult the way the front of the hatch wraps down on the rear seat ......

I think you would be trading one thing for another. Now you have a little trouble accessing the back of the engines. If you do the side deal you will have trouble accessing the sides and I think that is more important? I was looking at mine the other day thinking about trying to come up with a quick release deal for the back hing. If you remove those two screws the hatch will lift in the back and stay down in the front and you can get in there.

The best of both worlds would be a hatch that is hinged from the rear, then has two inserts hinged from the sides. Something I've been toying with myself, not sure how feasible it would be but function-wise it would be great. Alot of work to design and implement I think tho.

Two things ...... I keep my 311 on a lift and I can raise the Boat up high in the boathouse then remove the hinge bolts and place two straps under the cover and then lower the boat and the hatch is removed while I do my work ..... Also I can open the hatch more than 90* and the hatch will be propped open against the rafters in the boathouse ....m

I will be trailering. One thing I am doing is adding the scoops for the superchargers and I have to redo the upholstry on the hatch and the bench seat. Figured it would be a good time to gain better access to the engine compartment.

what about spliting the hatch and open it from the center? Each half might be easier to open all the way to 90*? .....

Also I have thought about having a solid nonskid 12-18" strip from the rear seat to the transom ....with a cushion strip on each side for lounging ...m

Kinda like this cept one piece that would still open front to back .....

well...i am going to do same as PRATER...i have one hatch..lifts from from..i can get to back of motors,,,sucks..i want barn doors style,,had barn doors style on my 33 scarab ,,were great for working on stuff. time to cut this hatch in half!!!!!...get hinges,,reinforce mounting areas...add two scoops....get new cushions made....baa..gang..i will post photos,,,when i do this,,.............

ANY INPUT ON SCOOPS.....GOT TO HELP GETTING SOMNE FRESH COOLER AIR...I JUST WONDER HOW HOT IT GETTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT...

Ummm ....thread is 6 years old ....