170DC Transom hatch

[wschapinjr]

Does anyone know or have any suggestions for a replacement of the current very small access port in the transom well? I would like to install a larger access port so I can get at the seacock for the baitwell as well as clean out the bilge. It could either be screw on one like the factory uses or a real hatch.
Thanks

[fridaysoff]

You can go to boaters world or any good marine supply store and find larger hatches. Measure yours and see how much flat space that you have around it and see if you can find a larger one that will fit. You can look at Boaters World online and get an idea of what sizes are available. You can cut another hole on the other side of the splash well and install a second round hatch, that way you can get both hands down inside or hold a light inside of one while you work. Good luck.
John D.

[Streamer]

Wschapinjr,

If I had one gripe about my 170CC it would be what you just mentioned in this post. I don’t have an unusually big arm but with the 06 model there are hoses in the way of the 8 inch diameter opening, not to mention it is centered over a stringer that effectually cuts that 8 inch opening in half. The smart thing would have been maybe two 8 inch diameter deck hatches. One on each side, and there is a post out there where someone added round deck plates to each side of the original 8 inch opening. Swiss cheese!!!

I thought about this a lot. There really isn’t a flat enough area to add a hatch and make it look really flush with the motor well. For me, I considered the importance of being able to reach my bilge in the event of an emergency. My thinking is that a piece of fishing line keeping your bilge from working when you are taking on water would be terrible, if your hand comes 2 inches short of being able to clear it.

Long story short…

I found an 8x13 hatch I added to the motor well. I am not a very good builder so I had my brother the carpenter install it. There certainly wasn’t enough flat area to put this in clean so he used a piece of backer rod under the hatch and bolted it to the surface. The backer rod makes up for the inconsistencies of the transom well. I liked the idea of having a rectangular hatch because you want to get close to the back of the boat. It is not the cleanest fit but it works.

One other option you might have is what Triumph did on the later models. They added a maintenance opening to the outside of the 8 inch circular opening. If they sell those parts you might be able to retro fit yours the same way.

Sorry, I don’t have any pictures as I just did this Wednesday but if you would like to see the completed work I will take some for you.

Jim

[wschapinjr]

Great idea......I'll see if the factory has any extra pieces and parts....failing that I'll look to adding a hatch that allows access to both the live well and the bilge.

I just cut the nylon strap that holds the large black coax thing so I could move it an inch or so. I can barely feel the livewell seacock so I can almost turn it on......maybe some vasoline would help!
Wow, almost everything was engineered properly. Guess the need to access the seacock was not well thought out. Maybe they are going to fix that with the 09 model.

Thanks again!

[NCangler]

I checked with the factory on this:

The biggest issue is in order to make that larger access area we had to modify the mold for the splash well. I agree that it is not the easiest thing to get to but I have pretty good sized arms and have always been able to fit my arm down to reach stuff that needs to be reached. I do agree that it is hard to work in the area. When you pull out the ring that holds in the access plate that gives you some extra room to work. Also there is room on each side of the access plate for and additional 6" plate that will aid quite a bit.

[wschapinjr]

Thanks for the info. The folks at the plant must have real small and long arms. I guess it would be best to add another round access hatch to the starboard side. If I get it in the right spot I should be able to quickly access the seacok in the event I had to.
As I reported, by moving the coax I could gain some more space and just barely touch the valve. I think if I remove the whole place I can fab up a rod that will allow easier operation of the valve.
Thanks

[Davekfl]

I have a 2004 170 Bass model and I have added two additional round deck plates ( one on each side of the existing deck plate and towards the motor). With this arrangement I can get to any part in the bilge and I dont have to work in Braille? There is just enough flat area to add the two additional plates.
Davekfl

[wschapinjr]

I think I posted some pics showing the black drain hose in the way of access to the seacock. At least the pics uploaded.

[NCangler]

I attached the pics to your post for you.

[BarryB]

Perhaps the factory felt that it would not be necessary to access that area often.

I think a hatch system simular to the one on the 170CC center console, with perhaps a better seal system (to keep water out) would correct the problem of limited access.