Thread: Challenge for the BE boat redesign team

sounds good, I'll check clearances

Mobile or stationary?

Charlie, Could you build me a boat lift while you are at it?

How about 6 inch (or longer if need be) links inward on the lower pivot points. One end of the link attached where the strut is now but allowed to rotate and the strut attached to the other end. That way, when the stairs are opened the link allows the end of the strut to move outward allowing for a bigger opening of the stairs. You can experiment with how this works without changing any of the original design.

Since the gas struts seem to work OK once they get a beneficial angle at the upper attachment, and the problem is the force needed to manually lift the lower step up far enough to attain that beneficial angle, perhaps a simple solution would be to attach on the 1st riser below the lower tread nosing anything strong enough with a hole in it so you can temporarily insert a pipe or similar lever to greatly reduce the initial lifting force needed...

pdecat you have a PM.

pdecat: heres a few things: 1) gas assist lifts come in different load ratings separate from the stoke length find load info and go up a size. 2) measure the compressed and extended length and you could look at installing a air cylinder to raise the stairs. install a simple tire compressor to provide air pressure.

Bruce, What model Carver do you have, maybe you can find one the is for sale and has some pictures of what you are talking about. Then all you need to do is post a link, just a thought. Walter

Maybe another "plus" of a "trawler-style" cruiser over an ACMY is easy engine access? The single diesel engine on my Mainship is right under the saloon sole, No stairs to lift. Can you add some long gas struts to help you lift the stairs?

If your stairs really need to swing through 180 degrees then no electric lift or gas strut will work. Both of these lifting devices are limited a little more than 90 degrees of motion. Is the existing lift assistance some type of rotary spring? If so you should be able to up-size the spring or maybe even adjust the existing spring's tension. Mike