3000 express hatch extensions

[gumshoe]

Source of the post

Source of the post That's a good idea. I pull the cotter pins and attach a come along (heavy duty seatbelt type strap deal) over the hard top and it cranks up but it's a bit of a PITA to do it without feeling like you might get crushed under that hatch...I love the design of most of this model but there's no doubt that the engine compartment is made for skinny guys as designed!

How does that work? I'm having trouble envisioning the come along setup. Where you attach to the hatch etc. It may be a PIA but it seems better than jamming myself in there again!

I have the large strap/come along over the hard top with ends attached to the aft section of the outer lip of the hatch. As you reach max height, take the pressure off the lifters, pull the pins, and it winches up. I did buy two strap systems so the "come along" part is on either side, because once you start taking a section of it up it'll get off balance, that lets you take up each side a crank or so at a time. By come along, I mean ratchet, i suppose:

[David B (Boston)]

Thanks for the pic. Its getting clearer. What do you attach the other end to? i understand one end is hooked onto the lip of the hatch.

[gumshoe]

Source of the post Thanks for the pic. Its getting clearer. What do you attach the other end to? i understand one end is hooked onto the lip of the hatch.

I used 2. both go over the hard top. One ratchet on each side so you can crank up each side evenly. If you take the helm seat off and set aside, it goes up pretty high. All 4 ends are secured onto the lip of the hatch. I also cut a 2 x 4 and placed it from the engine room floor to the underside of the lip just in case there was a catastrophe and we lost them...never needed it but would have hated to have my obit read that I was crushed by an engine hatch.

The hatch itself is awkward and very heavy but not that bad with all the hinges in place...it's not dead weight straight up.

[MarkT]

Source of the post Mark T - did you find a solution? My actuator motors are also on the bottom.

I have not pursued it further at this time. I am currently designing a set-up to use the engine raw water pumps to act as emergency bilge pumps and winterizing ports. Dan1 and I have been going back and forth fine tuning it. Have a couple of parts back ordered and when I get them I will get it done.