Leave the engine hatch open

[PSNI]

Hello all:

I haven't seen this question here so thought I was post.

Is there any reason you would not want to leave your engine hatch in the open position for several days or weeks at time? Assuming you have a canvas enclosure for your cockpit.

Thanks, Peter

 

[techmitch]

I think the better question would be. Why would you want to leave your engine hatch open especially with gas engines?

 

[Creekwood]

Hello all:

I haven't seen this question here so thought I was post.

Is there any reason you would not want to leave your engine hatch in the open position for several days or weeks at time? Assuming you have a canvas enclosure for your cockpit.

Thanks, Peter

Animals might get in? I wouldn't do it.

 

[DWABoat]

Animals might get in? I wouldn't do it.

It seems every time I open my engine hatch every cat in the neighborhood comes running! Damnest thing.

 

[bobeast]

There's bound to be some additional context we aren't getting, like maybe broken hatch struts on back-order, or some such. That said, I don't see any practical reason it would be an issue as long as the cockpit is fully enclosed.

 

[Golfman25]

So you come home drunk one night, the wife is pissed throws you out. No problem, will go sleep on boat. As you climb in you forget about the open hatch, fall in, wake up in hospital with broken leg.

Just about happened to me, except for the drunk and wife part. I had a hatch open. Was wondering about and forgot it was open. One leg went quite a ways down. A few bumps and bruises.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Just about happened to me, except for the drunk and wife part. I had a hatch open. Was wondering about and forgot it was open. One leg went quite a ways down. A few bumps and bruises.

Ouch

I think this could make sense after a cruise to cool down the engine compartment, otherwise not so much.

 

[PSNI]

I think the better question would be. Why would you want to leave your engine hatch open especially with gas engines?

Hatch actuator seems to be dying a slow death and it seems like a hard replacement part to find. I closed the seacocks before leaving for a few days and thought what could be the harm of leaving it open. I thought about someone walking into the cockpit and falling in and decided to close when I left. But just got me wondering.

 

[mrsrobinson]

When I kept my boat in Richmond folks used to tell stories of finding snakes in their engine compartment. They said they got in through the hull exhaust, which never made sense to me cuz that would direct them right into the engine. As long as you're okay with critters and other things living in your engine compartment, go for it. I think you'll also be inviting clowns to go play around in your engine compartment as well though.