MacGregorSailors.com

I just bought a 1995 19' MacGregor Powersailer. It's been 20 years since I've sailed and am having a blast! So far I have only one modification that I'd like to make and that is that the hatch has hinges on the forward side and a wimpy little arm that supposedly will hold the hatch up. Ha! I would like to make the hatch a pop-up. I am thinking about a quick release pin on the hinges (like on bicycle wheels) and 4 supports. What do you think? Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Just put 1 or 2 air cylinders on instead (like on the rear hatch of your car). It will push the hatch up automatically. I believe someone has a mod like this in the mods section. I haven't done it myself because I still like to open the hatch all the way flipped back (comes in useful for launching a spinnaker) and the gas shocks won't allow that. You could put only one gas shock on and have a regular hatch lifter on the other side if you still wanted to have partial openings possible.

Thanks for the response. I'll take a look at the air cylinders (I drive a truck so don't have a trunk...) I'm curious about the "regular hatch lifters". I've been looking for something like that on e-catalogs, etc and have found nothing available, yet. Probably will have to find someone with an old boat they are parting out. Thanks again.

Jayne from Golden, CO. Drives a pickup, wears a felt hat, jeans, and boots.

Nobody knows too much about the 19 around here unless they came up from one. Dimitri is talking about his X that has hinges on the back of his forward hatch.

Were you asking about a forward hatch, or the one in back for getting down into the cabin?

If nobody here gives you any help, you might click on discussion board off to your left and check if there's anything on the MacGregor/Venture board.

Hey Jayne -- I have a and agree it is a great boat. The standard hatch holder is a bit of a pain though. I experimented one season with some wing nuts on it for quick removal, but just opted for a better (spring-type) adjuster in the end.

Some other folks have experimented with pop-tops, etc. on the . I usually just take the hatch off altogether on decent days, just to give my big body some extra room.

You might also check on the Yahoo M19 Group, as there are more owners there than on this board...