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Anybody ever add power hatch actuators?
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Author:  aguyindallas [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Anybody ever add power hatch actuators?

Has anyone here swapped out the gas supports for powered hatch actuators? The hatch on my 200 is a pain...wife and kids both cannot open it. It would be SO nice to have it powered.

Author:  tennja [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anybody ever add power hatch actuators?

Don't know about the 200 but I was told it couldn't be retrofitted on the 260. However when I saw a boat with them I don't see that it would be too hard to do.

Author:  aguyindallas [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anybody ever add power hatch actuators?

Well...I know it cant be retrofitted....but I am wondering if it could be easily accomplished or not?

Author:  cougarcruiser [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 4:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anybody ever add power hatch actuators?

I don't think it's a matter of "if you can" -- I think it's a matter of finding the right person to do the job that won't steal your money.

Power hatches also come with a pricetag... if you don't have any battery juice, opening up that compartment could likely suck - big time.

Author:  millhaven_nice_guy [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 4:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anybody ever add power hatch actuators?

I have the power actuator on my engine cover. It's a simple install if you have sufficient space. I think you probably already have all the wiring and a switch on your dash? Chances are it's just a matter of mounting the linear actuator and splicing into the wiring. Have you checked your wirring diagram to see if the wires exist?

The actuator works real slick and i can remove the back seat cushion which allows me to pull the top pin so you can manually lift the hatch if you don't have "juice"

I'll try and get you some pictures.

Author:  LouC [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 4:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anybody ever add power hatch actuators?

The other option is replacing the gas lifts with ones that are the same size with more lifting capacity....I have the full size sunpad on my old 88 and I have a 60 lb unit on each side....I think you can go up to at least 90 lbs...check West Marine or other retailers....certainly it would be cheaper and simpler....
I had to replace the wood in my old sunpad last fall and that thing was heavy for sure....seemed close to 50 lbs with the padding and uhpolstery.....

Author:  Jim_R [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anybody ever add power hatch actuators?

I offered this advice before and got hammered for it, but some folks never learn. :wink: Here's the advice, open the walk thru first, and push against it after releasing the latch. Leverage is applied, and I'd bet even your wife could then open it. The flak I took was that it's be bad on the hinges, or some such, so far no issues here, and I've been doing it that way almost three seasons.

Author:  07H200SS [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anybody ever add power hatch actuators?

I brought this up one other time and agree taht a power lift should have been an option for us guys with smaller Horizons. I plan on working on this next off season. If you come up with something before then please share.

Author:  Graham R [ Tue Jun 02, 2009 2:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Anybody ever add power hatch actuators?

Re opening the hatch in the event of flat batteries or actuator failure, it isn't an issue with the way FW fitted the actuator on my 245; the pin at the end of the actuator shaft isn't attached to the engine hatch; it actually fits in slots routed into an outer tube that is attached to the hatch. That tube fits over the actuator cylinder and the pin is normally at the top end of the slot. If something fails, on manually lifting the hatch the pin slides along the slot .

Graham

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