main floor hatch won't open

[finn5033]

Hello all. I have a 97 seadoo challenger and the main floor hatch is stuck shut. I pull the hatch lever and it doesn't do anything. Now I'm talking about the long skinny one that is in the floor where you keep your paddles and anchor. Has this happened to anyone? And if so how did you get it open. I don't want to crack the fiberglass. I tried searching for this and couldn't find anything. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Waterluvr]

See if you can get the latch assembly to rotate counterclockwise just a hair when you lift up on the pull ring, those were aligned just a bit off center (12:00) on some holes that were drilled to close to outside edge of the hatch to limit how far the spring loaded bolt could engage the underside of the opening and hold it shut.

I re-adjusted mine at about 11:00 and re-tightened it so that wouldn't happen again.

 

[finn5033]

Sounds good I'll give it a try

 

[grinditout]

drill it out and replace the latch here is one if you need >http://www.ebay.com/itm/221526616543?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[finn5033]

See if you can get the latch assembly to rotate counterclockwise just a hair when you lift up on the pull ring, those were aligned just a bit off center (12:00) on some holes that were drilled to close to outside edge of the hatch to limit how far the spring loaded bolt could engage the underside of the opening and hold it shut.

I re-adjusted mine at about 11:00 and re-tightened it so that wouldn't happen again.

Waterluvr, once again your help is priceless. I was able to rotate the latch and get it to open. I took the latch out and it was broken. I removed the broken piece and put the latch back in to fill the hole in the door. I don't feel like spending a ton of money on a new one so I will watch eBay for a used one. For the time being it is not an issue anyways. The door doesn't move at all when on the lake.

 

[Waterluvr]

Your welcome, glad you were able to get it open they sent a bunch of boats out like that and sometimes rotating it works to get you in without resorting to destroying the latch.

How's it running for you now? ~Hope all is well and you guys have a safe and enjoyable season.

 

[Sandman251]

Just went through the exact same thing. 2 were broken, one was all yellow.
Here's what I bought.

Five Oceans round white slam latch. $5.25 on Ebay.

Wouldn't pay the $34 West Marine wanted.

Good luck.