Looking for idea's to re-enforce the engine hatch with out adding much weight. When I lift the hatch, the point at which the ram pushes up really bows upward before it starts to raise the hatch. I see there are stress cracks that have developed. I had an idea to glass some aluminum framing in place as illistrated in the picture. Any other ideas would be great.

When I read this my first thought was the bracing like you are talking about.

Jon

have you looked at the Hydrolic Hinge systems ? I been looking at them. Maybe someone can chime in ... TOO OLD has em ...

The hydraulics would help with it by dividing the weight between two points instead of one. Not to mention, they surely look "Trick".

Only thing I wonder about them is where they pivot from ...I am sure they work but seems they would put alot of strain at point of attachment .... I would want to run a support up the side of hatch ....

I'd like to use the TRICK hatch lifters but the attachment points on the hatch opening don't look stout enough to deal with the forces that they would have to bear---it's only like 1/4" fiberglass there.

Any thoughts about how to attach those hinges to that area??

Poorsche

www.boatmat.com

Heck, the underside of the hatch is a great place to learn fiberglassing. After a "blowover" on the interstate due to a huge bump, I had to repair that area, and it went great. It's now stronger than when it was new, and could easily support the Trick hatch lifters. But, that's a lot more expensive than using the stock actuator and reinforcing the fiberglass (Sorry Too Old).