The hatch actuator on our boat sounds awful when we operate it. It sounds like rocks and it actually always has, is this normal?

These are pictures of what we have...

I have the same issue. I bought the boat like that and previous owner stated that he already tore down and rebuilt. I have no reason to doubt him. It works fine other than the noise and for that reason it not a priority yet! I am quite curious though.

Ditto, same problem here.

When you rebuild/replace use relays to run power to the actuator instead of running the power directly from the switch, this seems to extend actuator life

It's a ball screw with a flexible coupler from the motor. If it makes that noise, it's either needing adjustment or was put together wrong. If it is left this way, it will be beyond repair and we all know what new ones cost. I sent mine into Acculift and had Danny go through it as well as a new motor. 151.00 shipped. No noise at all now. Can hardly hear it run.

Thanks for the information... I will send it out at the end of the season. $150 sounds reasonable to make the noise stop and maybe while it is off I'll have it painted to match the red.

I just replaced mine with a brand spanking new one from Acculift, Danny hooked me up too, Formula wanted almost $1,000, they can make about any kind of actuator he told me, can't hear it at all, super quiet, worth every penny.

Contact info or link to website?

Here's his phone number, talk to him and he'll advise you what to do, I just pit my new one in yesterday and it works perfect, it cost me $380 tax and shipping to Florida was included.

313-382-5121 just ask for Danny.

Thank you,I also will set this up this fall.