Adding a rear hatch to a Victoria 18

[Elby]

I have an 81 Victoria 18 and I want to add a rear hatch. I have seen pictures of this boat with this hatch and want to know is there any re-enforcing required for the motor mount. When I crawled back there(under the seats) I didn’t see any support other than the current hull. I didn’t want to put a hole in something that is required for support. The motor is a 2002 2HP Honda.

[artbyjody]

If you are talking a hatch to store it in when not in use...probably will not require any kind of additional support...if you are really concerned cut a piece of ply and lay it down so you do not ding the glass with the prop...

[Elby]

what i mean is, that when I hang the motor off the back to use. I don't want the motor pulling the transom apart. i'll try to have photos tommorrow

[artbyjody]

Yes you will want to re-enforce it...unless your model was specifically designed for a outboard motor..

True story..

I added a outboard last year on my C-27... Bought one of those extenders (long shaft 9.9 so needed it to be away from the transom to get it up and down)..

• I added teak plates to the mount of the extender...
• Inside the cockpit portion of the transom I cut out a same rectangle and inserted another set of teak blocks...
• Then I used plywood cut only slightly larger than the other two..
• Bolted it through ...

It the motor flexed the transom anytime I was at cruising speed or above...Enough to think twice about seriously using it full-time...

Lesson I learned - cut a plywood portion for the backing the length and height feasible of the interior of the transom to buff up the entire area...Or best - if you have room - glass in a few more layers to stiffen....

but working in that area was a tight fit...neither of those two options were feasible until after the fact...

[LakeEscape]

Elby,

Congrats on buying a great boat. Are you familiar with the McVay forums?

Here is a link to a discussion about the Laz. Strange that you don't have one, they were startdard on 1979 and newer.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/mai...msg%3D1323%2E1

You may have to register, but this is a very active group. Bill McVay's son Will is a member and working hard to keep the Vic family going. Just bought an '80 for my girlfriend's dad. He loves it.

LakeEscape
On Lake Norman
Charlotte, NC