If anyone has a picture or two from the engine room hatches insides I'd appreciate it. I'd like to know what kind and how they were attached.

On my boat, the covers are completely loose. So no hinges, rusted twist 'lock'. In the wiring diagrams I found a 'engine room lighting' item. Obivously that's also gone over time.

Currently I have to lift the hatch to the side from the center, it's travel hampered by a seat-hinge-mount thing so have to lift it a bit awkwardly and then balance it in the groove. That of course is not very safe so when I want to get into the engine bay, I put them against the stern in the groove and fix it with a line.

My idea is to use some electric pistons, these are available in many lenghts. But the hinges are a question for the moment. I haven't seen much remnants of them so am curious to know how it was originally.

And how is the bench supposed to be mounted? The current hinges (with a removable pin) are a pain. A hassle to remove the bench (can't open the hatch otherwise) and they're in the way of travel. Where the supporting 'poles' under the seat originally in some kind of receptacle in the hatch? I've got two holes there now. Not pretty.


Thanks in advance