Greetings,

I am new here. Found the forum while looking for engine hatch cover ideas for my 1981 Nordic Viking 26. It is a bit of a project boat (just like every boat). It currently has a padded cover that you have to lift off to access the twin 350s. As this is not always a good option I am planning on building a new cover with hinges. I am still undecided on doing a hard fiberglass cover or keep a pad. I am leaning towards a hard cover.

With all that being said, I am hoping for some pictures of what people have. So please post what you got, thanks!

Still looking for pictures. Thanks!

I'm working on mine right now. I'll take a couple pics tonight. It's partway through a re-build
Was originally padded, it needed some love and I'm going to leave it hard

Appreciate it, thanks!

Its pretty gnarly looking right now.
Basically it's from the bottom to the top:
1 layer of roving
3/4" foam
1 layer of roving
3/4" foam
1 layer of mat (don't know the thickness)
Originally the edges were all exposed, all the wood was exposed and unprotected and rotten. It was a piano hinge, I am changing to exterior hinges that I can pull a pin to lift the other way if needed. I just bonded a second layer of plywood to accommodate the hinges
It has top fuel snorkels due to the blowers and inter coolers
I don't really have decent before pictures
I will try and re-bond the de-laminated parts, wrap the edges and vacuum bag it to hopefully make it solid without adding much weight
Its actually quite light now, maybe 60 lbs +/-

Gonna be nice when you are done.

I called Nordic and the guys there recommend hood hinges from a '70 Chevelle. Not sure if I have the room in the engine compartment for them. Also not real sure how to add in the structure for them to mount onto the boat side. Was going to take another look this weekend when it's no longer raining.

Here is a pic of a pad on my VR 1.

Padraig

Look nice, thanks.

Think I am still leaning towards a hard cover. Maybe place some vents over the exhaust manifolds. Make strong enough to walk on, but not as a primary hang out spot.

I think my wife might leave me if I went to a hard cover. I can't complain as I too like the versatility of the pad.

Padraig

I hear you about keeping the wife happy. I just know she will be complaining about how cold it is out there and will spend more time in the front part and not laying out on the hatch. That's my gamble anyways...