Engine Hatch securing

Ross D

Ross D

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Does anyone have any good ideas for an Albin Vega Engine hatch?

The existing one has machine screws holding it down around the egde and takes forever to lift. Our threads have finally stripped leaving us with only 2 good screws so we have to do something. I am reluctant to simply replace what is there as it is a pain to open the hatch to check the fuel filter etc, and would be impossible in an emergency.

Has anyone done anything different on a Vega or otherwise?

Ross
 
It's not easy to offer advice without seeing the existing set-up, so any photos you have would help. The only Vega I've seen had a fairly conventional access through removal of the companionway steps assembly - the main vertical panel hooking onto a rail at the base and secured by shooting two bolts. The basic priciple of designing such areas is that the load is carried by the features such as the base rail with the fasteners, in this case drawbolts, only holding the panel in place with negligible load. Sometimes it is possible for other parts of the assembly, such as the top step, to lock the lower parts in place.

If you don't want to redesign the hatch arrangement, it might be possible to replace the machine screws with Dzeus fasteners. There are various types, some requiring a quarter turn with a screwdriver, others with folding wings to turn by hand. Unfortunately when i last looked none were Stainless, but haven't looked for some years!

Rob.
 
Thanks for the reply, sorry should have specified, the companionway engine hatch is fine, it is the one on the cockpit sole. The whole of the cockpit floor is bolted down around the edge, once these screws are removed the whole floor lifts out to give access to the rear of the engine, shaft, gearbox, exhaust and (in our case) fuel pre-filter/sep.

Screwing the hatch down around the edge keeps it watertight.

I have looked into dzeus fixings and the stainless ones cost a lot (around £20 each x 18), I was hoping for something more affordable.

Ross
 
How about some sort of knob with a M5 thread, possibly going into a rivnut on the deck?
I would guess it depends how much something like that is going to be in the way.

Or a stud and a wing nut?

alloy dzus fasteners are available fo much less than £20 each, some motorcycles use them to hold the fairing on.
 
Why not replace the existing screws with s.s. Allen screws. Keep a charged cordless drill on board with with a suitable hexagonal bit and your problem is sorted:D
 
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