It's ALIVE!

[13Echo70271]

I have a couple of the catches that inaforty pictured. You can have them, pm me with an address to mail them.

Or, Attachment 6216 anyone use these soft cover latches? at $6 on ebay not too bad..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flexible-Dra...item1e9eb99e40

[inaforty]

Echo,
Just looked thru your photos. I have done alomost the exactly repairs you have done over the past few months. Gas tank hatch, rod box repair, lids for rear storage/bait well.


Has anyone converted to NFB helm using the old steering cable? My cable is in great shape (fresh water boat) and would really like to have the NFB helm.

[phatdaddy]

i've got the nfb on mine &love it. bout as close to hyd as you can get. i'd change both cable & helm.

[inaforty]

Echo,
Did you replace your hinges on the rears hatches?
If so where did you find them?
I have a set for one side but the other side is missing.

Phat,
That would require removing the motor. Which I could do but I'm cheap and lazy which will probably end up costing me more in the long run.
BTW I have hydraulic on our 23' Wellcraft and honestly I like the NFB better. We bled that system so many times and it's still sloppy.
For crying out loud the old Hynautic system on the Bertram is easier to deal with.

[13Echo70271]

I replaced the hinges a while ago and can't remember where I bought them. IBoat I think. I used flat hinges and needed to place a piece of 1/8 in. starboard under the one side to even it up. I think you can see it in my photo album.
I replaced the latches with soft-draw latches. They are rubber vinyl and steel. with kids on board thought they would be easier on knees.
spep.com makes the twist type draw latch. southco makes the rubber ones I think. I'll try to attach pictures. The twist type come in SS and zinc plated steel.
the ones shown are 2 inches x 1 inch from spep.com mfg. sierra pacific products. I think Southco also makes some.

[inaforty]

Echo,
Thanks for posting that link to the latches on ebay.
The same latches from Defender in CT were $17 a piece.
I got my new latches today from ebay. SWEET!

I replaced the hinges with Sea Dog units. Cheapest I could find was Bass Pro and they had the spring type stops that I used to stop the hinges from flopping all the way open against the cleat.
I saw this in Mac Attack's gallery.
linky....
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...0/saturday_010

You can get some great ideas looking at other peoples projects.

Love the lower access hatches he put in also.....
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/album30/Doors

[13Echo70271]

glad to help. which latches did you get? the rubber or steel twist? I have been thinking about the access hatches also, at least on the stbd side. Happy trails. Tom, 13Echo

[inaforty]

I went with the rubber latches.
If anyone wants the original latches they are welcome to them.

Got the boat registered and titled today.

I've got to get the boat up off the trailer so I can slide in some bunks. The rollers are shot and I don't want to replace them. Trailer seems ok but I'm not sure I want to dump a bunch of $$$ into it.