gsc3
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2017
- Messages
- 72
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-32 C
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLC2454L516
- Vessel Name
- Sojourner
- MMSI Number
- 338229582
I think that I have finally solved the problems with struts on the center cockpit hatch cover of our 2016 Cutwater 24OB. These problems date from October 2016 when we took delivery of the boat. The starboard strut was loose and the strut rod was slightly bent. This strut was replaced under warranty, but in March 2018 the hatch struts were no longer helping to raise and lower the hatch. I replaced the struts, purchased from Lift Supports Depot, SE263P60W, rated at 60 lbs, recommended by the Cutwater dealer. In May 2020 the problem of struts no longer providing lifting support again occurred, and I replaced them with the same model struts from Lift Supports Depot.
Since I was concerned about the short, two-year, lifetime of the hatch struts, I checked the alignment of the struts, determined by the placement of the ball studs on the inner sides of the hatch cover and on the walls of the hatch itself. I found that the struts were not aligned vertically side-to-side when the hatch was open, on either the starboard or port sides, which I thought might cause the struts to be bent when the hatch was closed, thereby contributing to the short lifetime of the struts. I corrected the misalignment on the port side by putting a 1” spacer block under the ball stud bracket on the wall of the hatch, and to correct the misalignment on the starboard side I put a 2” spacer block under the ball stud bracket on the inner side of the hatch cover.
With these changes, I installed struts from Lift Supports Depot rated for 90 lbs, SE263P90MW, with metal ball sockets and wire clips that provide extra restraint to hold the ball socket on the ball stud. These struts provide the support needed to raise and lower the hatch cover easily, and they have caused no problems so far. I am hopeful that my problems with the hatch cover struts have been solved, by correcting the strut misalignments and by using struts with greater lifting force and metal ball sockets with wire clips. Time will tell.
Photos of the ball stud brackets with added spacer blocks can be seen at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/197743182@N04/
Slade Cargill
2016 Cutwater 24OB, Sojourner
Longboat Key, FL
Since I was concerned about the short, two-year, lifetime of the hatch struts, I checked the alignment of the struts, determined by the placement of the ball studs on the inner sides of the hatch cover and on the walls of the hatch itself. I found that the struts were not aligned vertically side-to-side when the hatch was open, on either the starboard or port sides, which I thought might cause the struts to be bent when the hatch was closed, thereby contributing to the short lifetime of the struts. I corrected the misalignment on the port side by putting a 1” spacer block under the ball stud bracket on the wall of the hatch, and to correct the misalignment on the starboard side I put a 2” spacer block under the ball stud bracket on the inner side of the hatch cover.
With these changes, I installed struts from Lift Supports Depot rated for 90 lbs, SE263P90MW, with metal ball sockets and wire clips that provide extra restraint to hold the ball socket on the ball stud. These struts provide the support needed to raise and lower the hatch cover easily, and they have caused no problems so far. I am hopeful that my problems with the hatch cover struts have been solved, by correcting the strut misalignments and by using struts with greater lifting force and metal ball sockets with wire clips. Time will tell.
Photos of the ball stud brackets with added spacer blocks can be seen at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/197743182@N04/
Slade Cargill
2016 Cutwater 24OB, Sojourner
Longboat Key, FL