In restoring my 255 Liberator I am faced with a choice: Do I hinge the hatch in the rear and raise the front or do I split it in the middle and hinge it on both sides?

Currently it is split in the center and I just remove both sides to gain bilge access. Since I'm re-working everything I can go either way...I just can't make my mind up.

I would set it up like the original was but the pieces for that are long gone. I have not been able to find a 255 Formula Liberator in original condition to see exactly how it was put together and it's tough to tell from photographs.

Thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

If you hinge the rear then it'll be easier to show off the motors at the dock when the hatch is lifted. Also may bit easier to move batteries and such from the dock or a ladder into the bilge. If you hinge the sides then the two halves will block the view of the motors from the dock. But old school side hinge wouldn't be out of place for your build either. Good luck.

Yeah...I tend to agree with you...rear hinge would be more practical and easier to do. Now I'm thinking of independently hinging them just for the hell of it.

Uhhh asking for opinions can be dangerous you know. Opinions are like arm pits.......... everyone has more than one and they usually stink.


As far as originality goes that could be a determining factor for some. I am one who will throw out originality if it can't get me what technology can. For example a biased ply tire vs the performance of a current production tire. I know, I know this is a boat and not a car but I would apply the same practice with an old Bravo vs a late production Bravo etc. Anyway with that said, if you have to build up the whole lift and cover system a single actuator vs double actuators would be cheaper. It would probably be easier with less hardware to have a rear hinged cover too. Plus the rear hinged cover allows for the mirrored view of the engines on start up without walking back to the engine bay before busting them off.

Glad you have to make that decision and not me.
Good luck

I like raising to the side. 2 actuators means if one breaks you can still access it for repair.

Call formula they might be able to tell you how it originally was mounted. +1 for installing it how it originally came.