300 da hatch warning

[Bridog]

Yesterday the engine hatch on my 300DA came crashing down 10 seconds after I was done checking the fluid levels. I can only imagine what would have happened to me if my neck was still in there when it came down. My engine compartment hatch is very large and probably weighs several hundred pounds. There is a single actuator located between the 2 engines. Do not go in, or near, your engine compartments without a brace of some sort. My boat didn't come with one. Hopefully I'll find out more when MM opens tommorrow. Please be safe. Brian

 

[rcknecht]

Re: WARNING! Hatch problem.

That is very strange... My linear actuator is a jack screw actuator (no fluid). The only way it would come crashing down is if the pin was pulled, or the mouting screws broke. Were you able to raise it after in came down? If you need to replace your actuator, and it is not under warentee, you may not want to buy it through MM. They charge three times what I can could purchase my replacement actuator from a distributor of the OEM...

 

[mfilippa]

I can't understand what is going on. This is my engine hatch, I believe I also have a screw type but don't see how it can come down without breaking the pin. And even if screw breaks, I don't expect it to go down but jam.

Nevertheless, it is a good warning as I often go in there and even hold on to the hatch to climb up. Let us know what happened if you figure it out. If there is a potential of having that heavy hatch close on my head, I am going to do something about it.

 

[fwebster]

Screw type linear actuators like Sea Ray uses are not necessarily fool proof.

The motor turns a gear that in turn drives another gear affixed to a screw. Then there is a follower or nut that raises and lowers as the screw is rotated one way or the other. The nut has a sleeve (ram) and an end mounting attached to it. The actuator can completely fail if the nut strips (not likely in the OP's case since he had no skipping or noise prior to the failure), if the key or pin driving one of the gears fails, if a bushing holding a shaft in place fails and lets the gears become disengaged, or if a shaft broke, then a rapid decent fueled by the unsupported hatch can occur.

This is the first total failure I recall since Sea Ray began using linear actuators, so it is rare, but certainly possible. We usually have some warning like slow or noisey operation ..........giving us time to find out how expensive the repair is going which gives us time to complain while we wait on the new one to arrive.

 

[Bridog]

Frank, thank you for responding. The actuator did make a louder noise than usual going up. It has always been loud since I bought the boat but no louder than the one that opens the center window. (That ones real loud) My dealer did some work in the engine compartment earlier in the week and didn't mention any thing abnormal with it's operation. I'm glad it's a rare occurrence but it certainly scared the "you now what" out of me as well as my dock neighbors who heard it come down. Brian

 

[Bridog]

Re: WARNING! Hatch problem.

That is very strange... My linear actuator is a jack screw actuator (no fluid). The only way it would come crashing down is if the pin was pulled, or the mouting screws broke. Were you able to raise it after in came down? If you need to replace your actuator, and it is not under warentee, you may not want to buy it through MM. They charge three times what I can could purchase my replacement actuator from a distributor of the OEM...

Thanks Rod. No way in hell I could lift this thing. There is a round twist off opening in the hatch so you can reach in and pull the pin off if needed, but I couldn't seem to reach it. Even if I could I wouldn't be able to lift it manually. Just in case....could you tell me the name of the OEM distributor? Thanks, Brian

 

[mfilippa]

This is the first total failure I recall since Sea Ray began using linear actuators, so it is rare, but certainly possible

I guess the boat hook will serve an additional use from now on.

Thanks for sharing the info, Bridog!

EDIT: if failure is possible, is it advisable to reach the end of travel with its corresponding 'end of travel' noise that it does (clutch?) or just leave partially open?

 

[Bridog]

I guess the boat hook will serve an additional use from now on.

Thanks for sharing the info, Bridog!

EDIT: if failure is possible, is it advisable to reach the end of travel with its corresponding 'end of travel' noise that it does (clutch?) or just leave partially open?

mfilippa, I don't think a boat hook would have worked. 2x4 maybe. You know how heavy this thing is. Be careful. Brian

 

[rcknecht]

Re: WARNING! Hatch problem.

Thanks Rod. No way in hell I could lift this thing. There is a round twist off opening in the hatch so you can reach in and pull the pin off if needed, but I couldn't seem to reach it. Even if I could I wouldn't be able to lift it manually. Just in case....could you tell me the name of the OEM distributor? Thanks, Brian

http://www.warnerlinear.com/Linear_Actuators.asp

You probably can lift it with a jet ski lift... You can come by my house and use my lift if you like...

 

[Bridog]

Re: WARNING! Hatch problem.

http://www.warnerlinear.com/Linear_Actuators.asp

You probably can lift it with a jet ski lift... You can come by my house and use my lift if you like...

Thanks for the offer and info. Marine Max jumped all over this today. They used a fork lift to open it. I knew that sucker was heavy.

 

[Bridog]

I can't understand what is going on. This is my engine hatch, I believe I also have a screw type but don't see how it can come down without breaking the pin. And even if screw breaks, I don't expect it to go down but jam.

Nevertheless, it is a good warning as I often go in there and even hold on to the hatch to climb up. Let us know what happened if you figure it out. If there is a potential of having that heavy hatch close on my head, I am going to do something about it.

Mine looks the same as yours. Dealer said it was a complete failure. Unit is destroyed. Rare but possible. Protect yourself. Brian

 

[Bottom Line]

Yikes Brian...I have been in and out of my bilge many time and have never even thought about that unit failing.

 

[Skuza]

Last thing I'm thinking about when I'm working in the bilge. I cannot imagine ours coming down as its basically the entire rear cockpit floor. In todays society you would think there would be a warning with a backup support.
I would imagine a stainless support pole with a hinged end mounted to either the hatch or inside the bilge would be a great idea.

 

[skibum]

I'd call the manufacturer and offer to send it back to them for a free replacement. Send them a link to this thread. They will want to fix this because you are correct, a freefall hatch WILL kill you. If you had been injured, you probably would have won the product liability lawsuit.

I stick my head in the EC while kneeling on deck all the time. That's how I do my quick oil and drive fluid checks before each trip. Sounds like a Marie Antoinette event waiting to happen.

 

[skolbe]

On my 320, there is an arm, I can pull down, but I have two actuators. My dock neighbors screws pulled out from the hatch - He started raising his and then it crashed. So it is possible. Would be scary and painful to have it land on your head.

 

[Woody]

Good post Birddog, what a eye opener. I have just the shocks that assist in lifting and have had one of the ball joint mount ends wear out and come apart. Luckily there is one on each side, it still crashed down but not quite a freefall.

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

mfilippa, I don't think a boat hook would have worked. 2x4 maybe. You know how heavy this thing is. Be careful. Brian

Those of you in the 300DA thread may have read my previous post quoted here....."I would only recommend opening the hatch manually as a last resort. Very poor design for this operation. Even if you have help, the only place you can position yourself to lift the hatch is the narrow isle next to the sink with not a single handle or indent to grab. I did manage to pull this off by myself but I was almost crushed, literally. The pole I was using as a brace bent and the hatch slowly closed on me while I was in the engine room. Someone less scrappy then myself would have been screwed. As it was I had to use my body as a wedge to slither out. Not a proud moment as I almost had to yell for help. The wife was more than curious about the scratches down my back too....."oh sure you were almost crushed"."

Make sure you block this beast open with something stout if you intend to work in the ER. A boat hook is marginal at best. I left out the part about me sitting in the dark ER, trapped and about to sheet myself. Another 300 owner almost lost his toes when they lost control of the hatch while lowering it manually. As Brian said...be careful!

 

[HUMPH]

I will be in the "engine room" all day Saturday so I will be fabricating a failsafe support. :wow:

 

[Stray Cat]

I would like to see the support method in the 320DA...any 320 guys (Skoble) have a pic from their ER that would show it in place?

 

[skolbe]

I will take a picture this weekend, but it is a swing down pole that is in the actual hatch, next to the table storage area. On the 320 there are two actuators, so that will help.