www.iFourWinns.com :: View topic - Engine hatch cover?

You must have Sunsport seating. One trick I've found that may enable your wife to open the deck lid/ engine cover is to open the rear deck walk over system cover, like this:

Then hit the release for the deck lid/engine cover and open it by pushing (not lifting) on the upright walk over cover. The upright walk over thingie acts as a lever or something - makes a huge difference.

You must have Sunsport seating. One trick I've found that may enable your wife to open the deck lid/ engine cover is to open the rear deck walk over system cover, like this:

Maybe, based on my experience I'd suggest trying it and deciding for yourself. To me, there doesn't appear to be much stress placed on the hinges or walk over cover when used in this manner. I've noticed no adverse wear after two seasons on mine, and I believe I've been opening that cover a lot more than most folks would.

TxJole, as I recall, it's your sunpad/ engine cover hinges that keep breaking, not the hinges for the walk over cover. You sure Party Cove isn't partially responsible for the wear on your hinges?

Author:	07H200SS [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Engine hatch cover?
Has anyone added electric lift shock to the engine cover or do any of the Horizons come with electric lifts? Mine is a little on the heavy side and we store stuff under it on both sides. My wife can't open it herself. Thinking of making it electric some how. Any ideas?

Author:	christiantrevor [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
My 240 came with the electric hatch lift. I could not imagine not having it. I disconnected the lifting rams in an effort to adjust and sync them. My engine hatch was much heavier than I expected. I had one hell of a time holding the hatch up and reattaching the rams.

Author:	230 Mike [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
+1. I tried lifting it once without the lifts. Never again unless it's an emergency.

Author:	07H200SS [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:44 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
Hmm. Wonder if the lift for the bigger boats would work. I know I may have to modify something which is not an issue. Guess I'll have to look at some when I'm at the dealer this weekend.

Author:	230 Mike [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:26 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
I don't know why not, as long as you have enough unoccupied surface in your bilge to mount the motors on each side of your engine. The lifts themselves are probably expensive, but it would be a worthwhile upgrade IMO.

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Author:	LouC [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:36 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
When I got my old Horizon the original lifts were long gone and I got tired of lifting it in a hurry so I replaced the lifts. I think they were 60 lbs ones, I know they come in different levels of lift so you could try finding out how many lbs the OE ones are and go up to the next size before going to the expense of electric lifts. My boat has the full sun pad, the core is a big piece of 3/4 in thick plywood so it's pretty heavy, I have lifted the whole thing a number of times because I had to replace the wood this fall. The old one had rotted where the hinges are, so I replaced it with a piece of pressure treated plywood and just re-used the padding and vinyl.

Author:	07H200SS [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
I'm thinking of just using some 12V linear actuators on each side. About $150.00 ea. and wire them to a factory style switch mounted on the helm. Going to ponder this for a while and do some more research. Open to any other suggestions.

Author:	aguyindallas [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
I was just thinking about this last week when I was on my boat. That damn hatch is heavy as hell. My wife can barely open it. I will be curious to see what you end up with.

Author:	Jim_R [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
You must have Sunsport seating. One trick I've found that may enable your wife to open the deck lid/ engine cover is to open the rear deck walk over system cover, like this: Then hit the release for the deck lid/engine cover and open it by pushing (not lifting) on the upright walk over cover. The upright walk over thingie acts as a lever or something - makes a huge difference. Don't ask how I got this photo of your boat.

Author:	07H200SS [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
Jim_R wrote: You must have Sunsport seating. One trick I've found that may enable your wife to open the deck lid/ engine cover is to open the rear deck walk over system cover, like this: Then hit the release for the deck lid/engine cover and open it by pushing (not lifting) on the upright walk over cover. The upright walk over thingie acts as a lever or something - makes a huge difference. That is interesting, but something tells me by doing this you are putting stress on the flip up hinges that they are not designed for.

Author:	Txjole2 [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
Jim_R wrote: You must have Sunsport seating. One trick I've found that may enable your wife to open the deck lid/ engine cover is to open the rear deck walk over system cover, like this: Then hit the release for the deck lid/engine cover and open it by pushing (not lifting) on the upright walk over cover. The upright walk over thingie acts as a lever or something - makes a huge difference. Don't ask how I got this photo of your boat. That is the reason Four Winns tells me i'm on my third set of hinges. Funny the last set that broke NO ONE open the hatch by useing the walk though, I made sure.

Author:	Jim_R [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:05 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
Maybe, based on my experience I'd suggest trying it and deciding for yourself. To me, there doesn't appear to be much stress placed on the hinges or walk over cover when used in this manner. I've noticed no adverse wear after two seasons on mine, and I believe I've been opening that cover a lot more than most folks would. TxJole, as I recall, it's your sunpad/ engine cover hinges that keep breaking, not the hinges for the walk over cover. You sure Party Cove isn't partially responsible for the wear on your hinges?

Author:	pet575 [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
I've got the manual on mine and my brother has the electric on the exact same model. He would probably say he wouldn't do without his electric, while I'd say I don't need it and my wife lifts it just fine. Matter of perspective, I guess.

Author:	Txjole2 [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
Jim_R wrote: Maybe, based on my experience I'd suggest trying it and deciding for yourself. To me, there doesn't appear to be much stress placed on the hinges or walk over cover when used in this manner. I've noticed no adverse wear after two seasons on mine, and I believe I've been opening that cover a lot more than most folks would. TxJole, as I recall, it's your sunpad/ engine cover hinges that keep breaking, not the hinges for the walk over cover. You sure Party Cove isn't partially responsible for the wear on your hinges? 100% positive, my Four Winns has been in party cove MAYBE 3 times.

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Author:	07H200SS [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Engine hatch cover?
More I think about this the harder it is to decide to do it. Questions for the guys that have it. How do you access your engine when the batteries are out for the winter?