390DA Middle Transom Door Closing Difficulties

[rtg]

Seeing several boats both 38's and 390's that have the transom door hitting at the top when closing. Noticed that the outside temp has an impact. Warmer temp seems to have less problems. What adjustments if any have have been made to address?

Thanks,

Rob

 

[juggernaut1]

Had had this issue myself.

Bought new hinges - old ones were worn and actually had bolts bolted through the top to the bottom and were sloppy.

Because there is no adjustment in the hinges or door I then ground a little off the back face of the top hinge that attaches to the transom (not the part of the hinge that attaches to the door). In effect, what you take off the back of the hinge face gives the clearance at the top of the door on the other side. The hinges have a bit of thickness in them to do this. If you are concerned about the hinge flexing (mine is still fine after a year) there is sufficient space to add another bolt through the hinge closer to the hinge pin where most of the weight is bearing.

 

[rtg]

Thanks for the reply. Have you noticed a minor bow on the sole of the engine hatch between the engine hatch hinges? If you look from the cockpit towards the swim platform with the door open you may see the bow relative to the swim platform. Was thinking that since there is a difference between the door clearance between warm and cool weather the sole may be expanding and contracting.

Seems that a structural member under the sole at the door might straighten and keep the sole from flexing and as a result keep the door from racking.....

Rob

 

[juggernaut1]

No bow in the floor. I also don't notice any change in clearances regardless of weather. I also think there is a glassed in structural member under the floor at that point.....because I keep banging my head on it when I go down the back of the engine bay :smt101

 

[juggernaut1]

Do the boats you have been looking at have the fibreglass door or the acrylic door?

 

[bluebelly]

This may sound crazy but I have seen this on several Sea Rays of different models over the last 10 years and I have come to the realization that the problem comes and goes based on how full the fuel and water tanks are. I suppose the heavier the load the more pressure there is pushing the sides of the hull inward. This makes some sense if you can imagine what is happening to a boat if you were able to push it deeper and deeper into the water. If you have ever had your boat blocked up on land then you probably noticed that the transom door had problems latching.

 

[rtg]

Do the boats you have been looking at have the fibreglass door or the acrylic door?

They have been 2010 models. They look like acrylic.

Thanks,

Rob

 

[tomcatvi]

Thanks for the reply. Have you noticed a minor bow on the sole of the engine hatch between the engine hatch hinges? If you look from the cockpit towards the swim platform with the door open you may see the bow relative to the swim platform. Was thinking that since there is a difference between the door clearance between warm and cool weather the sole may be expanding and contracting.

Seems that a structural member under the sole at the door might straighten and keep the sole from flexing and as a result keep the door from racking.....

Rob

Did you ever try anything like that? I have the same issue on my 2012 390 DA.