'05 340 engine hatch lifters

[BON DIA]

How easy is it to damage the lifters by stepping on the hatch once it is raised? Fairly often I find a need to climb over the raised hatch to get from the cockpit to the swim platform, usually while doing some maintance.

Barely up?

Half way up?

All the way up?

I try to float like a butterfly but somehow my 235lbs don't float too good.

 

[JV II]

As long as you don't use it as an ejector seat for the mother in law or a ride for the kids, you should be okay.

 

[Chris R]

I climb over the port side where the sink is (and the cockpit step to the side walk around). I have to do it more often than I like as I forget something in the dock box that I needed while doing an engine room check. Seems like climbing over that hatch would be quite difficult.

I'm guessing you have no slip finger/dock to the port side? I have slip fingers on each side which allows me to do this.

 

[BON DIA]

I have easy access to finger on starboard side. Over the port side I have a jetski on a float.

 

[Alex F]

I'm always trying to make my way closer to the mid section or near the lifter on the port side (crowling near sink and using the port side step). The idea is to get as close to hinges and further away from the hangin end of the hatch. I just take one step even closer to the end, then one more to the bottom of the hatch supporting and pushing myself with hands. Although, I'm much lighter than you, I think that following similar caution method will keep your lifters safe.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I'm always trying to make my way closer to the mid section or near the lifter on the port side (crowling near sink and using the port side step). The idea is to get as close to hinges and further away from the hangin end of the hatch. I just take one step even closer to the end, then one more to the bottom of the hatch supporting and pushing myself with hands. Although, I'm much lighter than you, I think that following similar caution method will keep your lifters safe.

There you go. Just don't want to be too far from where they attach. My concern, as well, would be more about flexing the fiberglass since where the lifters attach creates a pivot/flex point. I'm probably over thinking this though. How much distance is there from the attaching point to the end of the hatch or where you are stepping?