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Damper Strut/Hinge Question
Aloha Dick	#1  Posted on 02/07/09 - 5:57 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 43 Comments: 1 Joined: 12/22/08	I attended the Atlantic City boat show this weekend and I was looking over a mako. The bow hatches had damper struts inside the hatch attached to the underside of the cover/door. Does anyone know where to get these things? It looked like the neumatic springs used on screen doors. Edited by Aloha Dick on 02/07/09 - 6:05 PM
drandlett	#2  Posted on 02/08/09 - 5:25 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 146 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/01/06	I'd imagine they are very similar to the lift damper things used in tailgate lifts and hood lifts on cars and trucks. Your local auto parts store should have some in stock.
Phil T	#3  Posted on 02/08/09 - 7:00 AM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 6994 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	In talking with Bob Christiansen (SeaBob4), Ameritool is one manufacturer of gas struts. link to Ameritool page In contemplating one for my bow locker, Bob told me they come in 10 or 12 " lengths with various pressures. There are also different brackets to fit your application. Here is a page from I-Boats showing several brands and styles Edited by Phil T on 02/08/09 - 7:04 AM 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
Aloha Dick	#4  Posted on 02/08/09 - 3:37 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 43 Comments: 1 Joined: 12/22/08	Phil T wrote: In talking with Bob Christiansen (SeaBob4), Ameritool is one manufacturer of gas struts. link to Ameritool page In contemplating one for my bow locker, Bob told me they come in 10 or 12 " lengths with various pressures. There are also different brackets to fit your application. Here is a page from I-Boats showing several brands and styles same principle but the one under the hatch of the mako was compact and slightly different. I also want to use it for my forward hatch in my 15'. The mako would open and close very smoothly. Phil, did you put any kind of rubber on the underside of your hatch door so it doesn't strike the fiberglass too hard? Like a rub rail or weatherstrip type material?
Phil T	#5  Posted on 02/08/09 - 4:35 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 6994 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	I have not installed anything yet. I considered a rubber stop but I have a larger problem. On many outings, the waves are large enough so the locker opens a good 12" or more before slamming shut. On two separate occasions, I have had to remove the cover while on a cruise due to 2 of the 4 screws stripping the threads in collar (on the backside of the locker). I hope to order/install the strut in a month or so. Still a bit cold here. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
Aloha Dick	#6  Posted on 02/08/09 - 4:42 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 43 Comments: 1 Joined: 12/22/08	which one of the struts are you going to use?
Phil T	#7  Posted on 02/08/09 - 5:28 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 6994 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	I need to get on the boat and analyze the opening angle and measure the swing. Not totally clear on the mounting to the cover since there is not much wood there. I plan on getting Bob to help me figure it out. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
boopete	#8  Posted on 02/08/09 - 6:17 PM
Member Posts: 25 Comments: 0 Joined: 06/08/07	Geez Guys, this is a whaler!! If you don't like the slamming, SLOW down.
Phil T	#9  Posted on 02/08/09 - 7:06 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 6994 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	Boo - On one of the two occasions mentioned above I was driving 13-14 mph, just barely on a plane ...for 45 minutes. Uhhggg. How 'bout them apples! 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
Aloha Dick	#10  Posted on 02/09/09 - 6:02 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 43 Comments: 1 Joined: 12/22/08	boopete wrote: Geez Guys, this is a whaler!! If you don't like the slamming, SLOW down. What are they low riders? I'm not going to slow down, so I'll make a small mod instead.
greenshoe	#11  Posted on 02/09/09 - 10:48 AM
Member Posts: 23 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/26/07	Phil T wrote: Boo - On one of the two occasions mentioned above I was driving 13-14 mph, just barely on a plane ...for 45 minutes. Uhhggg. How 'bout them apples!
boopete	#12  Posted on 02/10/09 - 12:36 AM
Member Posts: 25 Comments: 0 Joined: 06/08/07	One thing about it, if you're in rough water, it's good to be in a whaler or if really rough, a Hatteras! As for apples, my favorite fruit!
Gary Sr	#13  Posted on 02/10/09 - 7:29 AM
Member Posts: 58 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/17/07	In my 26' outrage there are Attwood Gas Lift Springs fitted to the closure in the T-top electronics box and at the bow port and starboard storage lids. Haven't had any problems with them. But they are all getting a little tired after 6 yrs.