Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

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

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

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. :wink_thumbup:

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

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

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

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!)

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

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

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

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

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

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

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

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

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

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

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

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

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

Hey Danny,

You are correct that you will have to line everything up with the shock extended. I already had holes that I could use as a reference point but I still wanted to make sure that the hatch would be raised enough for my liking and that the shock wouldn't hit anything when closed.

Basically all you need is a friend to hold the hatch open the height you want it and play with the location of the shock. Also, make sure that when the shock is compressed, it isn't hitting or rubbing on anything. When you get the placement eyed out, just lower the end that would be attached to the hatch and make sure that the fat black end doesn't hit anything when it is level as it will be when the hatch is closed.

The 90 degree bracket will attach to the hatch lid and the regular bracket will attach to the side of the engine wall. Like I said before, I drilled the holes larger and added a hole to the 90 degree bracket so I could use larger screws. Let me know if you need any more help. Good luck.

Dave

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

Yes, it's pretty tough to figure out the geometry without compressing the shocks, the reason I believe they say not to do it by hand is probably from the risk of injury. Those things take 60-90lbs of force to close and stay closed!

You've got the right idea about lining them up extended and then figuring out where they'll be when it shuts. You might think about making a mount like the one I showed in the pics for the lower half, (this was done by the previous owner to match the OEM one on the port side). That way you can guarantee there won't be any rubbing against the sides. Just make sure and use some heavy duty screws in the starboard to mount it to the fiberglass and make sure it's secure.

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

OK guys,

I got the shocks in. They work perfectly, but it takes a little effort to get the hatch closed. I think I should have gone with 60 pound shocks. I will try to post some pictures.


Thanks for everyone's help.
Danny

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

If its super easy for that hatch to pop up you may want to consider having a way to secure it down. I test drove a boat that had put larger shocks on it because he was older. He had some straps made that he secured while under way. Well for the test drive he forgot to replace them and scooting about 40 MPH across the water a few waves made the hatch slam open. Pretty scary thing so keep that in mind your first time out to see how it responds.

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

I think I will try to exchange the 90 pound for 60 pound. I want my kids to be able to open and shut the hatch with ease. The hard part is finished thanks to you guys. Now all I have to do is just swap the shocks out.

Danny

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

Looks great, glad we could help you get this fixed!

Re: Gas-Assist Shocks for Motor Cover '07 SX19
 

Hi guys,

I got the 60 pound shocks today and installed them. They are the perfect strength for my 202 deck. The kids can open and close the deck with ease.

One thing I'm concerned with. What are you guys grabbing when you open and close the hatch. It seems like this could put a lot of undesigned stress on my head rests. It seems we are using the head rests to open and close the hatch as there's really nothing else to grab onto. Maybe I'll have to reinforce them some how.

Danny