220 SD Anchor Hatch Mod Question

surfinjoe

surfinjoe

New Member
Feb 23, 2007
946
Michigan
Boat Info
220 Sundeck 2007
Engines
350 MAG w/Bravo III
The new sundecks seem to have anchor hatches that open to the side as opposed to opening to the stern which makes it very difficult to remove the anchor. Has anyone moved their hinge on the older style sundecks to open side ways? After being on the hook this weekend, I remembered how annoying this is.
 
I'm thinking the same thing. I believe we would be better served by purchasing a longer piano hinge. Still looking for a source. Also, are you thinking of adding a gas strut, or re-using the nylon strap. I find the older configuration a PITA too.
 
Gas strut would be the best option, as long as it doesn't get in the way of the anchor. Since the anchor hatch currently opens via the existing piano hinge, I was planning on re-using it. The nylon strap is crap :) Maybe I just put a small piece of plastic where the hatch contacts the bow and let her open up all the way.

The other issue with the way our anchor hatch opens is that if 'someone' forgets to close the lock, the hinge can fly open while at speed. I have never had it happen, but I know someday may come (of course at the most inconvenient time/place). Just a poor design all together.

My other issue is with my aft ladder hatch. One of the corners makes contact with the swim platform. Now I have a dime sized chip out of the gel coat :( To top it all off, I ordered the gel coat repair kit from my local dealer, and they sold me artic white (according to my HID#) and what I really needed was pearl.

Two weeks ago I was pulling my boat out of the water. Some genius let his dog run in front of my rig and I had to turn/stop to avoid. In all the confusion, I forgot to check my mirror and slashed a tire on the metal handicap ramp at the dock. Not a great start to 2011. BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand

Gotta love it though!
 
I am also trying to see if I can mount my anchor on the stern of the boat. Thinking about buying a nice SS anchor and mounting it directly to the anchor locker hatch. The new 300 Sundeck has a windless mounted in this area. I am not in the market for a windless, but would love to have my anchor ready to deploy quickly.

Just wondering if anyone has mounted their anchor on a SD?
 
surfinjoe said:
Maybe I just put a small piece of plastic where the hatch contacts the bow and let her open up all the way.
Click to expand...

I did the same thing for my ladder hatch. I found a small (~1/4" diameter, ~1/4" high), clear "bumper" at Home Depot. It sticks on and has been there for a little over a year, now. A strut is "nice" and all, but I think the bumper is simple and serves the purpose.

You could try shimming the piano hinge with small, stainless washers to adjust how it falls. Or, sand the ladder hatch where needed and use the gel patch.
 
surfinjoe said:
I am also trying to see if I can mount my anchor on the stern of the boat. Thinking about buying a nice SS anchor and mounting it directly to the anchor locker hatch. The new 300 Sundeck has a windless mounted in this area. I am not in the market for a windless, but would love to have my anchor ready to deploy quickly.

Just wondering if anyone has mounted their anchor on a SD?
Click to expand...

You mean, bow, correct? This can be difficult, but not impossible. You'll need to screw the bow hatch down - ideally through bolt. Do you have speakers on either side of that little walk thru? You may be able to access the back side that way. I don't think the surrounding fiberglass is thick enough for only screws. Then, the hatch itself will likely need to be reinforced where the bow roller will be mounted.

Another thing that will be hard to get around is... where do you install the hawse pipe? And, how do you (easily) access the anchor locker?

Ultimately, it's your boat, but personally I'd save my time and money for something else.

Now, if you're thinking of installing the "thru-hull" anchor roller like the larger SD's... well, that's agetting into some major customization, too. You'll need to see if you even have the length needed in the anchor locker for the anchor shank. You also need to securely tie the anchor into the roller and I think that's going to be hard to do, as well. I just don't think there's enough space there to make this feasible and easily usable.
 
Yup, that rear hinged hatch is quite an odd design. You open it, now it is against your chest as you stretch to reach the anchor and rode. My 215EC had a side hinge design that worked much better but one of the reasons I decided to sell that boat was having to climb up on deck to deploy the anchor. The pre-10(?) 240 Sundeck is such a perfect boat save for that silly hatch. Think I will just get used to it, just like the parking brake handle in my Civic commuter car. What were they thinking?????
BTW, hopefully you just got bow and stern confused. Please never anchor your boat by the stern.
 
Sorry, I meant bow.

Lazy Daze said:
You mean, bow, correct? This can be difficult, but not impossible. You'll need to screw the bow hatch down - ideally through bolt. Do you have speakers on either side of that little walk thru? You may be able to access the back side that way. I don't think the surrounding fiberglass is thick enough for only screws. Then, the hatch itself will likely need to be reinforced where the bow roller will be mounted.

Another thing that will be hard to get around is... where do you install the hawse pipe? And, how do you (easily) access the anchor locker?

Ultimately, it's your boat, but personally I'd save my time and money for something else.

Now, if you're thinking of installing the "thru-hull" anchor roller like the larger SD's... well, that's agetting into some major customization, too. You'll need to see if you even have the length needed in the anchor locker for the anchor shank. You also need to securely tie the anchor into the roller and I think that's going to be hard to do, as well. I just don't think there's enough space there to make this feasible and easily usable.
Click to expand...
 
I do often use a stern anchor in conjunction with my main anchor at the bow, but never as a stand-alone.

Capt Skup said:
Yup, that rear hinged hatch is quite an odd design. You open it, now it is against your chest as you stretch to reach the anchor and rode. My 215EC had a side hinge design that worked much better but one of the reasons I decided to sell that boat was having to climb up on deck to deploy the anchor. The pre-10(?) 240 Sundeck is such a perfect boat save for that silly hatch. Think I will just get used to it, just like the parking brake handle in my Civic commuter car. What were they thinking?????
BTW, hopefully you just got bow and stern confused. Please never anchor your boat by the stern.
Click to expand...
 
That's kind of what I was thinking Dennis. I was just wondering if anyone did manage to mount their anchor to their bow. I am kind of tired of having to open the stupid hatch (towards me) then deploy my anchor. Maybe if I move the hinge, it won't bother me as much. Do you have any pic's of your mod?

Lazy Daze said:
You mean, bow, correct? This can be difficult, but not impossible. You'll need to screw the bow hatch down - ideally through bolt. Do you have speakers on either side of that little walk thru? You may be able to access the back side that way. I don't think the surrounding fiberglass is thick enough for only screws. Then, the hatch itself will likely need to be reinforced where the bow roller will be mounted.

Another thing that will be hard to get around is... where do you install the hawse pipe? And, how do you (easily) access the anchor locker?

Ultimately, it's your boat, but personally I'd save my time and money for something else.

Now, if you're thinking of installing the "thru-hull" anchor roller like the larger SD's... well, that's agetting into some major customization, too. You'll need to see if you even have the length needed in the anchor locker for the anchor shank. You also need to securely tie the anchor into the roller and I think that's going to be hard to do, as well. I just don't think there's enough space there to make this feasible and easily usable.
Click to expand...
 
No, no pics of it, Tim. I haven't actually done it. I was just advising on what I know to be the basics/minimum of what you'd have to do to accomplish it.
 
Ok Dennis, thanks anyways. I guess I need to take a trip to my local Searay dealer and see how they designed the newer SD anchor locker hatches (that open to the side). My other concern is that the hatch is actually a step. If I move the hinge to the side, I may end up cracking the hatch as it will not be supported on the back side. Maybe I need to add some bumper pads to the back (where the hinge currently is) to make sure it is supported properly.

BTW - I think I have located the vinyl for my filler cushion. Now all I need is foam and the boards and I can start another project :) I also am making my bow fishing platform per your idea. I have some nice carpet, just need some 3/4" plywood and a free afternoon.

Lazy Daze said:
No, no pics of it, Tim. I haven't actually done it. I was just advising on what I know to be the basics/minimum of what you'd have to do to accomplish it.
Click to expand...
 
Just as an initial idea, something like this: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=733&parentcatid=795 may work for the support for the aft edge (current hinge area) of the hatch. Maybe the 90* angle stuff - mount it in an upside down "L" shape and cut off enough of the horizontal piece to "just" give the hatch something to rest on - that way it doesn't protrude too far into the locker.

These are made out of fiberglass and should be stronger: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=561&parentcatid=795

surfinjoe said:
BTW - I think I have located the vinyl for my filler cushion. Now all I need is foam and the boards and I can start another project :) I also am making my bow fishing platform per your idea. I have some nice carpet, just need some 3/4" plywood and a free afternoon.
Click to expand...

Good! Let me know how it all turns out. Was it Morbern?
 
Last edited:
Still waiting on swatches of material however I believe Morbern is the vinyl supplier. Thanks again for all the ideas and help Dennis. If you are ever in the Detroit area, let me know and i'll buy you a beer.
 
I am working on it this weekend. I will let you know if I come up with any sucess.
 
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