Holding up a/c access hatch

[FSUDave]

My a/c is under the v-berth. It is a pain in the neck to hold up the v-berth and hatch while cleaning and inspecting the unit, and since the cabin table is stored there and we almost never have it out I have to contend with it as well. The other day I was cleaning the filter and the drip tray and thought maybe I could put some struts to hold up the hatch. Does anyone have some on their boat from Sea Ray or have you added any?
Thanks

 

[Lazy Daze]

I don't have gas springs, but that's a good idea :grin:. They're easy enough to get - buy them based on:

1) Compressed length (center to center on mounting studs)
2) Extended length (same)
3) Lift strength (pounds)

Thoughts: You'd either need a hinge on the forward part of the cushion, or use two struts. Otherwise as you lift the cushion, it will twist and come off the studs... crashing down on your head.

Would two struts then be in the way of putting things in and out of the storage area?

Possibly, a less expensive way would be to use those old style springs that bend... then "pop" straight when you lift the cushion up.

 

[fwebster]

The larger boats have a locking brace under the bunk to hold it up. Try going to sea ray.com, customer support, parts, then look for a 1997 450DA, it is probably not shown but is described on the page following the picture of the bunk.......my boat has the locking brace.

 

[Hampton]

My boat has a carpeted cover for the A/C access, under the cushions. When I lift the cushion, I lift the access cover, rotate it on edge, and use it to prop the cushion up. It stays put due to the angled shape of the cover unless you bump it firmly.

 

[FSUDave]

Frank, I figured Sea Ray probably did it on some boat some where. I figured I would save myself a few hundred bucks by going to the auto parts store and buying them there.

Hampton, on my boat the cover is hinged so I can not remve it, I will use the table to prop up the hatch, but if it is not exactly in the right spot it falls, even then a good wave by some moron speeding through the no wake:smt021 zone or a soft bump by me and I have a nice headache:smt089.

Lazy Daze, as mentiond my hatch is hinged, also there is no storage under there, and the opening is pretty wide anyway. I can get the gas assisted struts pretty cheap, so the cost of them is not a big deal.

Thanks for the feed back I'll keep you posted if I add them.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Dave, will your table still stow with a strut in the way?

 

[FSUDave]

Dennis, that is a good question. I will have to check that out next time I am at the boat.

 

[gnealon]

A pair of vice grips in the right location have helped me in the past to hold things open. I am sorry if this doesn't apply here, i don't exactly know your setup.