Gas Hinges

[harris2037]

[On a 1984 SUPER SPORT] has anyone replaced the OEM stainless steel hinges on the forward mahogany hatch [cover] with gas hinges?

[Give me a]recommendation for a [vendor of a gas hinge that could replace the OEM stainless steel hinges on the forward mahogany hatch]

[Tell me] how they have held up.

Thanks--Harris

[Jefecinco]

I have not seen gas hinges. Are you looking for struts? The strut on our 190 Montauk anchor locker cover works well after several years of use. The one on the live bait well cover comes loose occasionally but is simple to reattach and is no problem although a little annoying.

Our 1981 Sport 13 mahogany anchor locker cover has no hinges nor struts but is so light neither is needed.

[harris2037]

Not sure about struts. The front anchor locker (front hatch) has two stainless steel hinges about 4-inch apart. I am curious if anyone knew of a gas operated product that would make opening and closing the hatch easier and quiet.

Thanks for the reply Butch.

[jimh]

Like JEFE, I have not heard of gas hinges. I look forward to learning more about them. Can we have a link to any sort of gas hinge mechanism that might inform us all about this method? I am familiar with gas struts used to bear the weight of the opening hatch or cover. But integration of some sort of gas mechanism into the hinge itself seems to be something completely different and as yet unknown.

[Wweez]

Might contact Supra and ask. If there is something out there, they might be the one to know.

[Phil T]

This is very doable.

There are four types of supports; gas, hydraulic, spring or tension. Gas appear to be the most widely available.

Sierra and Taylor Made are two well known brands.

You will need to measure the hatch weight, determine the extended and contracted legnth and mounting postion.

Here is one of many suppliers.
http://greatlakesskipper.com/boat-parts/boat-doors-hatches-port-windows/hatch-shocks-and-lifts

If really stuck: https://www.westmarine.com/hatch-support

[jimh]

PHIL--those are great links you have provided, but I don't see any gas hinges. I see gas struts. Are you aware of any hinge device that has some sort of integral gas-operated lift? I am not, but I would like to learn about these devices.

[Wweez]

Phil, Thank You for the lifter and hardware link.
They have a good selection and seemingly decent prices.

[Jefecinco]

I recently read a thread on another site discussing "friction hinges" which function by slowing the rate of hatch closures. I suspect these are the hinges referred to by the original poster.

Some users of the friction hinges stated their effectiveness diminished significantly with wear.

I believe Gem or Gemlux was the vendor.

[jimh]

JEFE--you may be correct in your speculation about the nature of the hinges being sought. After one month of discussion there still has been no mention of any sort of hinge mechanism that uses a gas compression device. I am beginning to doubt the existence of a "gas hinge."