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Frank, can you provide a simply sketch (of
the leaf spring arrangement) at your convenience? Thanks, Steve McQueen, From: owner- I Plan on using a leaf spring to
counteract the hatch weight. I put a tab on my hatch that pushes the
leaf spring up when it's closed. The reasons for this are...... #1. Several coil springs I've seen
are dripping rust on the hull because the flexing metal won't hold paint. A
leaf spring, doesn't need to have a good coat of paint, just a coating of
"Plasti-dip" and the amount of flex/stretch is minimal. #2. Most coil spring configurations push
the hatch "UP" at the back, or wherever the hinge is. It takes the
hatch dogs to pull it down against the "O" ring. Because the hinge
points are slotted to allow for "O" ring expansion/compression, the
coil springs push the hinge rod up a little bit. The leaf spring is pushing
"down" on the hatch in the closed position. It's levered out beyond
the hinge pin, but still exerts a downward force on the pin, pushing the back
of the hatch down onto the "O" ring. #3. The hatch hinge with three legs and a
stainless tube running through it for the hatch pin is much more steady and
alignment is precise when it closes, unlike double tabs and bolts like most
coil springed hatches. #4. Like a coil spring, the leaf spring
tension is strongest when the hatch is closed. As the hatch is opened, the leaf
bends less, until finally it's not even in contact with the hatch. Unlike a
coil spring, the leaf can be removed very easily when the hatch is open,
without messing with the hinge mechanism. I have nylon washers for smooth
operation and corrosion protection between the parts that swivel, and
"O" rings to keep the grease inside the tube where the pin is. The
leaf spring can be adjusted in place to give as much resistance as I need
to balance the hatch. It can be adjusted so the hatch barely
pops open when the dogs are released, or as heavy as I want the hatch to
be. Regardless of how much tension is on the spring, it always is
pushing the hatch pin down. #5. OK...my favorite.....This thing is so
simple to build, and talk about cheap! I got the spring for nothin' and the
little bit of steel for the mount was a few scraps laying under the bench. That's my theory on hatch springs. Frank
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