Ok, so I take the boat out for a run yesterday, all is good, until I try to open the hatch. Nothing, not a sound, not a click, nothing. It is stuck closed, & batts are fully charged, & I've checked voltage at the switch, 12v...I've even tried to disconnet the "hot" wire & apply 12v directly to it...nothing. I did find a blown fuse & replaced it, but still nothing, I noticed that the fuse is only 5 amp. I would expect it to be higher than that.
I have a delima on my hands...I've tried to look at ways to get the acutator disconneted (there is only 1 actuator). It looks like I can remove the arm rest from the bulkhead & reach in & disconnect it, but before I went this route, I was wondering if anyone has had to lift the hatch manually on a Sonic.
My second question, is there a relay setup on the Prowler? If not, should I look into wiring one in?
The actuator is an Eddie Marine, & I don't think it is that old, but it was sounding like it was struggling to open. I'm thinking that the gears may have jambed up & I may need to replace the actuator. What is a good aftermarket actuator, other than the Eddie Marine?
Thanks for the input....

The hatch is INCREDIBLY heavy, but it is made of sleeved cylinders. You should just be able to lift it straight up, and support it with a broom handle while you work troubleshoot.

I say again, its REALLY heavy. You will probably want a helper to get it propped up solid.

Sydways is absolutely right. Lift very hard and steady,have a friend help,and have a prop rod ready. I used a 2x4.

Are you refering to the OEM actuator from Sonic? I've only noticed one cylinder, or sleeve, & a gear box on the bottom of it.

http://www.eddiemarine.com/store/car...&p=12327&c=100

I believe this is the one that is on the boat. I didn't think I would be able to overcome the "gear-box"....Unless I'm thinking wrong. I will definetly give that a try, thanks for the input.

I do not know if yours is set up the same as my 31 but the center of the seat is velcroed in. When you pull it out it gives you room to get under the hatch and unbolt the top of the cylinder..

It sounds like you do NOT have the factory setup. If you only have one ram; you do not. From the factory, they came with a pair of electric/hydraulic rams on either side of the motor.

You may have/make some luck by removing all of, or the pin from the rear hinges, and weaseling the hatch up to make some room. I had to do this once on a different boat, and it was not pretty, but it was the only way in.

Brian, I think they only used the dual rams a couple years. Both my Sonics have had the removeable center cushion that upstate mentioned. Good luck, always an adventure. Just buy a new boat, then you won't have to mess with it!

I appreciate all the input....
Problem solved, turned out to be the dash switch. Not sure why just applying 12v to the "up" wire would do it, but I installed a new switch & it worked perfect.

On a side note...I did try the hinge pins, wouldn't move...The back seat does infact have the center hole, but the cushion does not remove, & the actuator is on the port side. There is a mounting location on the starboard side also. Would I benefit from a second actuator, or would that just double the possibility of a failure? It does have me looking at making a set-up that would allow me to remove a "pin" attached by a cable & thru the side vent. But I think the tension from the hatch would make it tough to remove a pin. My Donzi had a sleeve at the top of the clyinder that would allow the hatch to be lifted just enough to release the tension. I am thinking about that same set-up for the Sonic....
Again, thanks for the input...