Deck Plate

[AlloyToy]

Replaced the Armstrong plate with an aluminum deck plate. About 20-25 minutes to install

[Challenge]

Nice Job, Are those the ones from Hamilton?

[AlloyToy]

Bought this one from McMaster Carr Rick

[welder]

I like it and I want one ...

[dingahling]

Post the link to the hatch, please ?

Do you think it seals better? still o-ring dependent, yes ?

[CTMD]

How big is that?

[AlloyToy]

It is still o-ring dependent but a much better design than the armstrong plate

here is a better pic

Chris 8" cut out 10" flange

[SJD]

Looks nice can you review the steps involved in the installation?

[AlloyToy]

Very simple as this deck plate fit the existing opening in the deck.

Removed the Armstrong plate
Positioned the outer ring centered in the hole
marked screw locations
drilled and tapped holes for #10-32 SS flat head screws
applied a generous bead of marine silicone to the under side of the flange
applied some tef-gel to the screws and tapped holes
installed screws and tightened

pretty simple

[SJD]

was this a cosmetic issue for you or were you having problems with the armstrong plates?

[AlloyToy]

Well only my opinion.....Pacific uses the Armstrong deck plate in the wrong application. It warps from the heat and does seal well. This is a high traffic, high water area of the boat. It needs a quality component for the application......

Just my 2 cents

[JETTYWOLF]

was this a cosmetic issue for you or were you having problems with the armstrong plates?

I like that....I'll assume Alloytoy for a moment is not a cosmetic kinda guy. But the metal deck hatches sure do match the hatch, huh?


It's real simple...Armstrong Deck Plates were not designed for walking on, kicking, and dirt/sand accumulation.
Armstrong makes Engine brackets, and these were designed for sitting undisturbed on a engine bracket. NOT on the deck of a boat..(my hard traffic decked boat)...bulkhead maybe?

I did the same, but since I have to be "thrift'ier" than AlloyToy, I used the plastic screw-ins from Beckson.

If anyone wants my old Armstrongs with even new seals, they're yours.

ALLOY. Are these you used nice and tight fitting and water proof?

Test: Have deck plate hatch closed, after installing a nice dry piece of paper towel inside ontop of ye ole fuel tank.
Take water hose with sprayer on or off and apply high pressure water upon deck plate/hatch.

Let me know, eh?


BTW: Pacific NOW uses a bigger Alloy hatch back yonder. And came out with the super top model......ONLY after I bought my boat! UGGGGHHHHH.

[tracy]

can you direct me to the site for these . nice job

[JETTYWOLF]

http://www.mcmaster.com

More like here:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#hatches/=98w298

"" Styles A&B— Hatches have a nonskid surface, a removable lid, a T-latch, and an EPDM rubber gasket. Style A is polypropylene and has a weathertight seal. Color is off-white. Style B is cast aluminum for corrosion resistance and has a watertight, airtight, and dustproof seal.""

[welderbob]

That hatch is made by Bomar. I think I paid $170. 00 for the last one I installed on a boat. Mcmaster Carr is a great source but they don't discount items

One of these days we're going to write a program for the CNC and make bunch of these. It has to cost a lot less than $170.


Welderbob

[JETTYWOLF]

Welderbob,

Yeah, they're all "cast" and for some reason expensive as all getout.

I CAN, imagine the slickness of a CNC made one. Hey, if it was "Orange County Choppers" the ole man would just say, make them and it would be a done deal. (one of the only reasons I watch that show)

I have a buddy who's not well and who was a Aircraft Galley Parts CNC machine operator, that now works for Vistacon making the "dishes" for contact len's, in the R&D department. (seriously high tech machines) He'd look at that and say.....no problem. But he's also very sick and may not be with us much longer.

Wonder what the deal is? I guess the molds wear out or something. Some small casty hatches like that cost up to $300.

Even Fraser Foundry http://www.fraserbronze.com/hatches.html aren't cheap.....and you have to get them to send you the price list, cuz the prices are not posted.

So Alloy's was a deal!

[JETTYWOLF]

Dammit ALLOY TOY,

Ya got me thinking about why I get so much damn water in my bilge area. So I went and did the paper towel test on meself.
I opened my P.O.S. Beckman deckplate over the fuel tank, layered over a few paper towels and let the deck have it as I normally would with my wash-down pump, and with my hose when I get home.

Then I unscrewed the Beckman plate and WELLLA.........drenched paper towel!!!!!

So there's where all that darn soapy waters coming from.

I use a shop vac to suck out my bilge water...and have had a gallon or so after a few trips. And I want me WATER TIGHT AS A GNATS AZZ!!!!!!!!

So, I unscrewed the Beckman P.O.S because the black sealant I used must not be working beneath the Beckman plate.

It comes up no problem.....hmmmm? Not enough black 5200??

So I'm cleaning up the back of the ring that the screwin deck plate goes in and around one of the screw holes is a goofy little ring of plastic. "What's this?" I take a knife and go to shave it off, because it's sticking up and all around the screw hole pops out!!!!!!!

\What????

Yeah and now the screw hole is larger than my screws? Obviously, another CASTING problem. Just like a 225 LEMON Honda.
The area around that hole was filled in or something, and was two pieces? Now making the hole enormous!

Okay....another good ole P.O.S.

I break out my damn ole ""Armstrong Compression Deck Plates""....but I have an IDEAR. "R" on Idea to emphasis.

I happen to have a jumbo O-ring handy. Like a 8" round 0-ring. I put that O-ring around the inside of the Armstrong deck plate gasket.

I get up in thy beautiful alloy plate BLM center console Florida edition boat and when I put the Armstrong into the deck hole, the plate goes on really tight.

AHHHH.....the O-ring makes a seal inside the plate seal!!!! I likes that.

Before I screw'er down I grab a wad of paper towels and lay them on top of ye ole gas tank. Fit the Armstrong tight, and then lay the water hose stream hard and directly as if I was washing fish poop and blood, people puke, and walked on potato chips out the scupper holes. (meaning alot of water stream)

I take the Armstrong off and the paper towels are bone dry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now my Armstrongs are 4 years old and don't look very nice, especially that one the 8". But will have to do till I get something like you have.....

IF YOUR TEST PAPER TOWEL TEST COMES UP DRY AS A GNATS AZZ.

[SJD]

The deck plate on my 2005 pacific is located inside of the storage box beneath the back seat. So protected from water and traffic and doesn't leak..

[JETTYWOLF]

Do I sound too GRUMPY, if I say..........Good fer you?

Hmmmm. A photog of that boat maybe in order.

Why is there so many members and such a shortage of boat photos?

C'mon....

[SJD]

You do sound grumpy but I get it. Sorry didn't mean to have it come out that way, just seems odd that Pacific wouldn't put the deck plate there in all of their boats. It seems to be a good spot for it. Mine is a V2025. I am guessing that the hatch position has to do with the location of the fuel tank, maybe on larger boats the tank is too far behind the back seat.

IMG_3376.jpg (99.14 KiB) Viewed 10469 times

[JETTYWOLF]

Naw, I was just being Mr. Smarty-pants......

I thought all the sizes were the same, just smaller or larger in length.

Mine on a 26 and a 23 is all the same. The deck plate isn't under anything. It's on the deck in front of the hatch in the "false" transom.

I thought you may have a had some "one - off" Pacific hull.

Soooooo, now we all know that because the 20 is shorter, and since you have that big storage box/leaning post behind the console that your deck plate is inside it.

Makes sense when you look at the dimensions of the boat.

Alot of us don't have that "back seat"....I have what I call the "ball room" back there. Behind my leaning post.

[SJD]

The back seat / storage box is a nice feature but I can see how you might pass on it if deck space is a big priority.. I have enough room for a couple guys to cast off the back which is all I really need.

[AlloyToy]

Test results DRY

[JETTYWOLF]

Okay...

Thanks.

I believe that's a valid test if done thoroughly.

A "papier" towel doesn't LIE.

You did read all YOU made me go through didn't ya???

Damn, I'm back to the Armstrong now although Jettywolf "tweeked".

[AlloyToy]

Read & tested Capt. Dave