340 Engine hatch

[Michael340]

Hi everyone, Bought an 03 340 a week ago and have been doing lots of maintenance. When I bought the boat I new it was going to need hatch actuators do to the terrible grinding noise. Anyway my new actuators will be here tomorrow and now the hatch won’t move at all. Any ideas how to lift the hatch?

 

[liv2ryde100]

There’s access plates in the floor under the cushions. U can pop the pins on the actuators from those and then manually lift the whole thing up

 

[KevinC]

Make sure the transom door is fully opened.

-Kevin

 

[MikeBravo]

The ER hatch is very heavy. You will need help and some 2 x 4s to keep it up.

 

[liv2ryde100]

There is a safety pole that holds it open, but he u will def need some help. I’ve never done this but can only imagine it is a pain in the ass

 

[Michael340]

Well that was an absolute nightmare! The port side had a pin which came right out. The strb had a bolt with two lock nuts! The access hole wasn’t even close to the lift bracket so I had no drill a new one so I could get to it. Now I’m waiting on UPS so I can lift it up to install the new actuators.

 

[Michael340]

Update.... Installed the new actuators that work well. Now the new problem is the strb side of the hatch doesn’t close all the way. About 1” open. WTF? The are both the same with 18” swing. I guess I’m going to have to modify the lower bracket. If anyone has any suggestions let me know.
Thanks!