Gas Struts for hatch
 

Hi guys,

I am going to ditch my electric motors this year and install gas struts. I've seen some posts with information on them about this, but I am looking for more specific information.

I have a 95 Z202. If anyone has done this on a Z202 or similar, could you post some pics, strut company, and specifications please. I would like to get going on this project.

Thanks,

Danny

Re: Gas Struts for hatch
 

We replaced ours and just ordered them from a truck accessory store. I would suggest 125 lb arms. Company doesn't matter I would say. User preference.

Re: Gas Struts for hatch
 

Mine came with them installed from the previous owner. There was a factory equipped 60lb shock on the port side, and apparently the electric lift which was mounted on the stbd side stopped working, so he removed it, and installed a gas shock instead. He made a mount equal to the factory mount (on the port side) out of King Starboard. The shocks started wearing out a few years ago, so I replaced them with a heavier duty equivalent.

Here's the setup.

Nautalift GS62820 90lbs 20" extended 12" collapsed. These are made by Sierra Manufacturing, and you can get them at a variety of places. I actually bought mine on ebay and got a great deal on them. Might be worth checking out!

Pics of the stbd side shock and mount attached.

Re: Gas Struts for hatch
 

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies. It looks like the struts don't have to line up straight? Can they be angled a little bit? I guess I will have to experiment. Any further information would be great.

Thanks,

Danny

Re: Gas Struts for hatch
 

Chris,

I'm going to order the same struts you have. Do recommend them? And is there a preferrence on where to mount them? Some more pictures would help a lot.

Danny

Re: Gas Struts for hatch
 

I do like the 90lb struts. They seem to work well. As far as mounting them, I think the previous owner just mounted the one on the stbd side parallel with the one on the port side since it was part of the original configuration. I believe you can mount the bracket to the hatch anywhere, I think it's all in how high you want your hatch to raise! And the shocks should be mounted as straight as possible, the only reason they're in different positions in the photos is because I was remounting the bracket to the hatch at the time, and the shock wasn't attached to anything.

I will try and take some pics of the hatch shocks properly installed next time I get around the boat. This season it's 4 hrs away at Lake Erie. :)

Re: Gas Struts for hatch
 

Hi Chris,

Thanks,

I would like to mount these shocks just once. I don't want to be drilling holes where I shouldn't. I think I have a pretty good idea on where to put them. I've just never done it before. The last time I had anything to do with hinges was with some cabinets and I ran to the hardware store about 8 times.

Thanks for the information Chris. I'm going to order those shocks tonight.

Danny

Re: Gas Struts for hatch
 

Hi Chris,

I ordered the shocks and they are on the way. I hope it works out.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Danny