Hey Mulv...

[parishht]

You have a 78 like mine, if I recall,

Back in the splash well, I have what looks like an old hatch,
the guy who owned the boat before me put steel plates in to bolt it closed.
Do you have the same hatch and is yours open
and what is it for?

Is it just an access?

The hatch is just below the engine in this picture:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/parishht/100_0418-1.jpg

[msbhammer]

Some guys put in a gatch to have better access to getting to the batteries. :-/

[Sean]

I have a 79 and basicly my entire well is a hatch
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k159/sreilly_2006/boat002.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k159/sreilly_2006/boat001.jpg
And I hate it!!
My biggest fear is that a wave will surge in and flood the hull!!
I have considered seeling it and cutting a new hatch from the inside

[msbhammer]

I guess you guys dont have the hatch opening in from of the splash well just above the deck ?? like the 86 models have ??

[Mulv80]

I think those hatches are aftermarket. My boat is a 79 and all I have is a small door on the front of the splashwell for accessing batteries and the oil tank. Access in this area is tight because of the slope of the splashwell so I can see why someone would want another way to gain access. i have trouble installing my battery its so tight.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/rtmulv/wellcraftrunning2.jpg

[spareparts]

take a look ay "relocating batteries", i have the same set up as ya'll and had the same concerns, i moved the batteries fwd to where the fish box was

[Sean]

I want to move the batteries frwd to fish well , but I am not sure how big a project it is.. Sorta scarred of rewiriing the engine ::)
At the least I am going to cut a new entrry like Mulv and keep the one in the well sealed tight with litleto no access. My problem is the gasket is all tore but thats a fix I can handle *;D

[phatdaddy]

I had to add the same hatch on my 83 when i repowered with an oil injection engine in 94. the angle of the splashwell won't let the oil tank down in the bilge

shot of both hatches
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e203/ffatdaddy/rearhatch3.jpg

[randlemanboater]

I want to move the batteries frwd to fish well , but I am not sure how big a project it is.. Sorta scarred of rewiriing the engine ::)
At the least I am going to cut a new entrry like Mulv and keep the one in the well sealed tight with litleto no access. My problem is the gasket is all tore but thats a fix I can handle *;D

You dont have to rewire anything, just extend the wires to reach the new location.

[Sean]

"You dont have to rewire anything, just extend the wires to reach the new location. "
That makes sense, just splice the wires together..
Thanks!

[steplift20]

i have a 78 and i have no problem installing the batterys i have two of them plus the oil tank.i turned my batterys long ways not side ways and thats where i keep my battery switch