Position of engine cover hinges '89 2159

[Seahawk II]

Thanks for the pictures. Do you have any of the fuel tank?

[Metrodriver]

The struts are 31" fully extended, 20" collapsed. Hinges are 2 1/2" wide, wider than what came on the boat.

[Metrodriver]

The previous owner installed a Polyolefin (polypropylene) tank. Not sure the manufacturer. There are a few companies that make them.
The old aluminum tank leaked, and they cut it out in little sections then slid the new tank in. Then they decided to overhaul the engine since it was out anyway. And then the owner died and his wife sold us the boat as she was getting too old to finish it.

[Seahawk II]

So, if I could also inquire please, what kind of poly fuel tank did you use?

[Metrodriver]

I'll take a few more pictures and measurements. So far I really like it. Today I had to deal with a very tiny leak in my poly fuel tank, during install it seemed a corner got nicked. I could lay in the cabin and reach the tank while with the original way it opened I would have had to remove the cover and put it to the side, like I had it during a lot of engine work. It slides around, bangs into stuff. Now everything is accessible.

[builderdude]

Bouncing around in some rough sea conditions may have an impact.

[Seahawk II]

Nice job! Any more pictures? The new hinges maybe? How long are the struts?

[Metrodriver]

The shocks are positioned in such a way that they push the engine cover down when closed (up -they are above the hinges, down - they are below the hinges). The cover weighs at least 50 lbs. Damn thing is heavy. The struts came from a car and were not able to hold the trunklid up anymore, but have enough power left to keep my engine cover up, but not enough to push it up

[builderdude]

Better add some type of latch up front so it doesn’t fly open and potentially get ripped off while at cruising speed.
😮

[Metrodriver]

Done! Getting the screws in the hinges was not easy, just an awkward position. I made brackets for the liftstruts out of aluminum, and screwed in the bottom with 3 screws, 2 in the top.

[Seahawk II]

Interesting idea. I know it can be a pain to get back inside but it does give the lid a place to rest without any assist. If you do move the hinges please post the results, I may just copy you. Good luck!

[Metrodriver]

My '89 2159 has the engine cover hinges on the forward edge. Has anybody moved them to the back on the transom? I am even thinking about adding a pair of gas shocks to keep it open when I need to.
Red are the current hinge positions, green is planned.

Pro's, cons?