Has anyone had trouble with the lift ram on a 24 outlaw
engine hatch.I bought the boat in march,hatch would
not go up without assistance.Found hatch water logged
and rotted.Rebuilt with new hardware and plywood.Hatch still
has trouble going up.Replaced lift ram,went up for a while
"struggled " Now it needs assistance again. Ran a new
ground to the dash because eveything dimmed trying to
put the hatch up.Breaker pops.I did jump it to the
battery and it works.Once it goes up about an inch
it works fine...any Idea's

I had a 96 24 Outlaw that did the same.The vinyl on the bottom of the hatch would stick like glue to the vinyl on the bottom of the back seat. I found that if I kept the vinyl lubed up with Armor All or something like it, it would work much better. Don't know if it will help you, but it's worth a shot. Hope it helps.

You say you did replace the wood?? I had to replace mine too. It was completely water logged. If you didn't replace it this could be some of the problem....That thing will tripple in weight with all the water logging. And like Hammereab said the vinyl on mine stuck like glue too except it stuck to the side wall/fiberglass. Keep it lubed and it helps big time! I also find that if my battery is low it will do what your saying about dimming all the lights and struggling, so check your batteries, it may be time to replace them.

Tank

This is a very common problem.

Sounds line you have done just about everything. Did you put power with a heavier gauge wire directly to the switch from the battery? You say you have already replaced the ground.

The other solution is to purchase 4 automotive solenoids, mount them in the engine compartment, and wire them from the battery. Hook the switch wires to the coils. Contact me if you want help in wiring.

I also have a problem with the hatch sticking. I have to grab it t start it them the ram works very well. (I purchased a longer ram and relocated the bottom mount for better leverage.)

I did replace the wood.When I opened the vinyl I had to vacuum
up what was inside,not sure how it went up when I bought it.
New batteries this year.The armor all sounds simple enough,
The vinyl does stick to the back seat.I did consider a solenoid solution.Trying not to reinvent the wheel..
..Also I ran a ground but no power wire to the dash...
thanks for the Idea's .riverrunner

I have a (97) 24 also,and having some of the same problems. My hatch goes up fine,but my hinge screws have pulled out of the wood underneath the fabric. This causes the hatch to go up and down on a angle. I guess the wood has rotted, causing the screws to let go. I have not taken it apart yet!!!Hoping to get it thru a few more weeks and have the wood replaced, once I winterize. This sounds like a common problem. Did you take yours to a upholstery shop to have the wood replaced? Any suggestions?

Rotting decks seem to be a very common problem on many boats. Water seeps through the threads and fold of the fabric of the vinyl and gets trapped between the pad and the wood. The wood they use is common ply (not treated). We used treated and put fiberglas resin on it. Maybe over kill.

When I reupholstered I used a solid piece of vinyl.

The wood is simple to construct. If you do not feel comfortable making it a carpenter or cabinet maker can do it.

Bajabob:The upholstery shop I talked to wanted 1000.00 to
redue the wood.I did it for @60. It took a couple of days
but it came out great.Take your old hatch apart carefully,use it
as a template.Get some friends to help,its easier to handle.
my hatch was 3/8 on top and 5/8 on the bottom,I went with
1/2'' & 1/2''.After the bottom is cut I did a test fit. Drilled the
hinge holes and side to side adjustments.I the coated everthing with fiberglass resin from boat us.You can use stainless
Teenuts if you can find them.Also take small stainless screws
and drive them in the cutouts of the Teenuts to lock them down.
If you have any other ??? let me know...riverrunner

Thanks alot,sounds like I have some work to do this off season. I figured it would be a couple of person job that thing is heavy and bulky. Sucks rather be cruising then looking at the snow and wishing I was boating. Winter sucks!!!!!!

I was wondering Riverrunner, maybe this is a stupid questian,but any way you could have added extra weight to the hatch when you rebuilt it. Making the extra weight to much for the lift arm? Just thinking outloud. I did not know if the new wood and fiberglass added any extra weight? Sounds like you made yours (1/2x1/2) little thicker than from the factory. Just wondering, trying to learn what I'm up against.