Carver Mariner 350 Engine Room Hatches

[amanphoto]

Has any one converted a Carver Mariner 350 Engine Room Hatches to hinged with piston assist? When ever I want to go into the engine area I have to lift and move away the large cumbersome engine hatches. There has to be a better way. I was thinking of putting hinges on them like the center hatch has. Thoughts?

Thanks

[Agriman]

They really are a pain in the butt. A while back someone posted a picture with hinges and a piston assist installed, but he had to change out the hinges on the aft entry door so the engine cover would have room to lift. You might find the posting in a search of the archives. I decided it wasn't worth the effort

[SanJuanDreamer]

I consider moving them as part of my exercise program....

[bud37]

I was considering the same thing with the hinges with the only difference being to simply prop them open the same way I do now with the boat hook or mop.....its just too dangerous moving those hatches around......hinges from the factory would have been a nice consideration don't you think. Maybe with the hinges placed correctly it might be possible to seal the hatches properly.....

[km1125]

Not sure if it will help in your situation, but I was thinking of doing something to help access too.

In my salon (3607 aft cabin) I have 6 sections that open. The middle section comes completely out and is usually easy to access. There are two large panels, over the port and starboard engine, that are hinged and open outwards. Then there are two smaller panels fwd and aft of the middle section, that are also hinged and open to the bow and stern.

The Port hatch is located under the two couch sections I have. I was wondering if I could mount them both on a panel and then use 4 electric linear motors to raise them straight up, with enough clearance so I could open the hatch above the Port engine. It would make maintenance so much easier and even the little periodic checks simple.

[feeez]

Agree..... 100%, they are bad news. I had one fall and hit me once. Luckily it hit me on the head so no real damage

Seriously though some hinges would be good idea you would need a pretty robust gas assist to support those babies.

Cheers
Fraser

[daveS]

Great thought....
The hinges similar to the generated hatch with a holding device.
Will have to look at princes auto for a support system.

[Geoff]

Hi, I have a 2005 36 Mariner and put hinges on the engine hatches last fall. They are way too heavy and awkward to keep shifting around. I did change the hinges on the transom door, not a big deal, just get new stainless steel hinges that go flat. I used the some type of hinge on the hatches, two for each. I will be installing gas lifts this spring, essentially to hold the hatches in the vertical position much like the centre hatch. The hinges work really well, made it a lot easier to winterize the engines, just propped the hatched up with a pole, but the gas lifts will be nice. It will make it a lot easier to do basic oil checks etc. since I will not have to move the hatches around t get in there.

[amanphoto]

Qr Bbpost Hi, I have a 2005 36 Mariner and put hinges on the engine hatches last fall. They are way too heavy and awkward to keep shifting around. I did change the hinges on the transom door, not a big deal, just get new stainless steel hinges that go flat. I used the some type of hinge on the hatches, two for each. I will be installing gas lifts this spring, essentially to hold the hatches in the vertical position much like the centre hatch. The hinges work really well, made it a lot easier to winterize the engines, just propped the hatched up with a pole, but the gas lifts will be nice. It will make it a lot easier to do basic oil checks etc. since I will not have to move the hatches around t get in there.

Geoff, did you cut the edge of the hatch so it doesn't bind when you open it?

[denpooch]

Geoff can you please post a few images. I use Bud's boat hook method to check oil. When doing real work, ideally a two man job to remove and get them off the boat. I am not thrilled with any of that.