Propose a) hinging 4 panels with
air shocks to eliminate
stowage issue and designing ladder to climb down.
Ladder would be removable
once one is down below to facilitate engine access.
Bob, I've worked in many boats that have had this arrangement. Seems to be a
good option and is easy to install. Just a few comments:
The air pistons come in various lengths and the one that seem to lend the most
success are the ones that allow the hatch to open at least to 90 degrees.
Otherwise the hatch seems to always get in the way. Just to make you aware,
these air lifts (shocks) do wear out and will need replaced periodically-
years though, not months. Stainless units are not necessary either.
The hatches should have some mechanism to prevent them from unintentional
closing, a safety feature that cannot be overemphasized. Many folks just use a
stick or broom handle inserted in such a manner that it doesn't slip out;
often just a hole drilled in appropriate places. Granted the hatches are
small, but they can still gain quite a bit of momentum on their way down on
top of a head or fingers.
Consider that with the necessity of also using a safety feature to prevent the
hatches from closing on their own, the air pistons are really not necessary
for hatches of this size. Plus, if you eliminate the air pistons, you won't be
tempted to raise the hatch and not install the additional brace.
Then too, if the hatch can be rotated all the way over, laying flat, though
upside down, this is the safest.
The hinges don't have to be inlet into the hatch, but will eliminate a hump
under the rug if done so. If you use hinges in which the pins can be easily
removed, it will allow the hatch to be completely removed if circumstances
require it, without unscrewing the hinges.
Finally, give considerable though to which way the hatches will open. In
addition to considering the hatch, also consider the placement of the air
pistons, once they are installed. Done wrong and they will be a nuisance,
always getting in the way though nothing that cannot be changed afterwards.
Rudy
Briney Bug, Panama City, Fl
Propose a) hinging 4 panels with
> air shocks to eliminate
> stowage issue and designing ladder to climb down.
> Ladder would be removable
> once one is down below to facilitate engine access.
Bob, I've worked in many boats that have had this arrangement. Seems to be a
good option and is easy to install. Just a few comments:
The air pistons come in various lengths and the one that seem to lend the most
success are the ones that allow the hatch to open at least to 90 degrees.
Otherwise the hatch seems to always get in the way. Just to make you aware,
these air lifts (shocks) do wear out and will need replaced periodically-
years though, not months. Stainless units are not necessary either.
The hatches should have some mechanism to prevent them from unintentional
closing, a safety feature that cannot be overemphasized. Many folks just use a
stick or broom handle inserted in such a manner that it doesn't slip out;
often just a hole drilled in appropriate places. Granted the hatches are
small, but they can still gain quite a bit of momentum on their way down on
top of a head or fingers.
Consider that with the necessity of also using a safety feature to prevent the
hatches from closing on their own, the air pistons are really not necessary
for hatches of this size. Plus, if you eliminate the air pistons, you won't be
tempted to raise the hatch and not install the additional brace.
Then too, if the hatch can be rotated all the way over, laying flat, though
upside down, this is the safest.
The hinges don't have to be inlet into the hatch, but will eliminate a hump
under the rug if done so. If you use hinges in which the pins can be easily
removed, it will allow the hatch to be completely removed if circumstances
require it, without unscrewing the hinges.
Finally, give considerable though to which way the hatches will open. In
addition to considering the hatch, also consider the placement of the air
pistons, once they are installed. Done wrong and they will be a nuisance,
always getting in the way though nothing that cannot be changed afterwards.
Rudy
Briney Bug, Panama City, Fl
