What kind of idiot...

dsherod · #1 03-19-2007, 03:29 AM

Just having taken possession of a '77 23CC O/B I had occasion to take a close inspection of the hatch which covers the batteries and aft portion of the fuel tank. I had to R&R one battery and replace the battery cables on both batteries because they were under ABYC rating and were getting quite warm during start cycles.

I had thought to myself during my run-through of the boat what kind of idiot owner would cut up this hatch to put deckplates in when the hatch is hinged and swings open without obstruction. Then while I was doing my work today I noticed more closely that the hatch actually had recesses where the deckplates were and that either the boat came that way or somebody did a lot of work for what was in my view an unnecessary access.

So, I immediately headed for the pictures section of this site and sure enough... deckplates, exception on Capt. Chuck's boat. Well, what an idiot indeed that Mr. Potter was

-- Not a nice thought for a proudly new Potter Built owner. Or, say it ain't so, maybe that idiot is ME!

Yep, I even checked the diagram in the sales literature, and low and behold... deckplates.

Well, with all due respect to Mr. Potter, what am I missing? There must be some logical explanation. And then, how do I get one like Capt. Chuck's w/o the deckplates?

Capt Chuck · #2 03-19-2007, 07:55 AM

aah yes, the ole below deck battery box with a sealed lid & pie plate access that can't be reached without uncaulking the deck plate syndrome

Quote:

what an idiot indeed that Mr. Potter was

Choice 1.) MOVE THE BATTERIES UP UNDER THE CONSOLE & SEAL THE DECK HATCH

Choice 2.) GET DON HERMAN "HERMCO" REPAIR PRO & MODERATOR TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEAS

Choice 3.) AS Shown in the pictures, BUILD A GUTTER SYSTEM OUT OF PVC PIPE with DRAIN TUBES. ROUTE THE DRAIN TUBES AND "T" to THE SELF BAILS. BUILD A NEW SOLID DECK HATCH THAT IS HINGED TO THE ENGINE SPLASH WELL.

PVC Gutter

Drain Tubes "T" to self bails (routed out the transom)

New hinged Deck Lid

strick · #3 03-19-2007, 09:41 AM

aah yes, the ole below deck battery box with a sealed lid & pie plate access that can't be reached without uncaulking the deck plate trick

And he fell for it

Do like Chuck says and take the batteries out of the bilge away from the fuel tank and life will be better. Thats what most of us have done here. I closed up the deck plates and made that a permanent hatch on my boat. I added an armstrong hatch behind that for access to the bilge.

Strick