[dwymer64]

I need a little help about the mounting brackets and placement of the gas-assist shocks to help hold up the motor cover on my 2007 SX19. It appears to have had them at one time but they are not there any longer. The motor cover is very heavy and I want to install new ones to keep it open without needing a prop or stick or something. I'm looking at the Nautilift GS62800 60# shocks but need help on the mounting brackets. I found some pictures of a similar boat that shows the mount on the side of the boat, so I see that I need a "flat" bracket there and that it just screws into the fiberglass. My real question is what do I need to attach the other end to the bottom of the motor cover? It looks like the previous one had a bracket just screwed into the plywood bottom of the cover. Is this a "flat" bracket or a "90 degree" bracket? I'm not sure how thick that plywood is, but I would hate to have a screw go through it and poke a hole in my vinyl or injure someone from above. If someone has installed these and can give me some guidance, I would greatly appreciate it. Pictures would be even better. I need to order my shocks and brackets so that I can get these on soon.

Dave

[ShabahZ280]

Granted mine is a 2000 model, but my gas strut just screws into the bottom of the sunpad with wood screws. The screws aren't very long, but there's no reinforcement behind it inside the sunpad. (although it seems like there should be!) It has a 90 degree L shaped bracket. I'm not sure if this was a factory setup, but that's how mine was when I got it. I'll see if I can snap a pic of it for you later this week. Hope this helps.

[dwymer64]

Thanks Chris, that does help. How long are yours or do you know the "avg" length that they need to be? I was going to get the longest ones I could so it would have the most range to open.

Dave

[ShabahZ280]

The GS62800 has a closed length of 12" and an open length of 20". I replaced mine a few years ago, and when I did I remember I stepped up to the 90# lifters, (GS62820) just as an upgrade. Ever try to lift that sun pad without the shocks? It's unbelievably heavy.

The place with the best price on them surprisingly was ebay. Here's a place that's got the shocks, and all the brackets as well.

BoatStoreUSA

Below is a pic of my 90 degree bracket (which is starting to show it's age!)

[dwymer64]

Thanks for the help. Mine doesn't have them now, so I know how heavy that thing is. I think that the 60# will be plenty. I am going to go ahead and order them and hope for the best. Thanks again for the picture and all the help.

Dave

[dwymer64]

I got them mounted over the weekend and it was a snap. It holds great and was a fairly easy job. Thanks for all of your help on this.

Dave

[spinks99]

Hey Dave and Chris,

I ordered these shocks on Chris's advice. Do they come with the brackets? I didn't order those do I have to? If so, which ones and where do I find them.

Thanks,

Danny

[dwymer64]

Danny,

You will need two different kinds of brackets if your setup is like most. You will need a "flat bracket" to go on the side of the motor compartment and a "90 degree" bracket to go on the underside of the sunpad/motor cover. I was able to find my flat brackets on ebay for $5 each but had to get my 90 degree brackets when I ordered my shocks. I used jamestowndistributors.com for my shocks and brackets. I purchased the pair of 90 degree 2-hole brackets for $17.82/pair and then drilled the holes a bit larger and added a 3rd hole between the others and used #14 stainless steel sheet metal screws 3/4" long to attach the bracket to the underside of the motor cover. I didn't want my screws to poke through the wood and didn't know how thick it was so I beefed it up a little by adding the larger holes and additional hole. On the side of the motor compartment, there were already holes where somoene had taken the shocks off at one point, and here I used a stainless bolt with a nylock nut and washers.

My 2 brackets are not lined up exactly vertical so the shock is kind of at an angle, but they swivel on a ball so it works just fine. There is a picture of the 90 degree bracket further up in this forum for you to look at.

If you have any other questions or further eplaination, just let me know.

Dave

[spinks99]

Hi Dave,

After I wrote my last post I went onto the site Chris recommended to buy my gas shocks from. They also had brackets for those shocks so I ordered them. I messed up and had to pay twice for shipping because I ordered two different times. Thanks for the advice.

Don't go too far. I might need your advice for the install. I'll keep you posted.

Danny

[spinks99]

OK Chris,

I finally got the shocks in the mail after they mailed it to the wrong address the first time. After reading the back of the package it says do not try to compress these shocks by hand. How do I know what angle and where to mount them if I cant compress them? Any ideas?

I'm thinking I will line them up extended, mount them, and then shut the hatch. I just don't know where they will end up when the hatch closes. Am I over thinking this?

Danny