Grady Marlin Livewell gas shock
- Thread starter wbdenamur
- Start date
DoctorOctopus
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 10, 2020
- Messages
- 91
- Reaction score
- 11
- Points
- 8
- Age
- 58
- Location
- Far Rockaway, NY
- Model
- Seafarer
I use friction hinges and am very pleased with this over gas shocks.
Easy to install
Marine Friction Hinges
Our Marine Friction Hinges are designed to eliminate the need for gas shocks or hatch springs. It holds open hatches, live well lids and many more applications.
gemlux.com
Gas shocks are widely available at boat stores and online. The info printed on the shock (or a parts manual) will give you the measurement and poundage. Whoever made THAT shock is not important. Attwood makes good stuff if you want to check them out. Consider upgrading to the SS
SkunkBoat
GreatGrady Captain
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2017
- Messages
- 4,990
- Reaction score
- 1,785
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Manasquan Inlet NJ
- Website
- www.youtube.com
- Model
- Express 265
Mustang65fbk
GreatGrady Captain
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2020
- Messages
- 3,081
- Reaction score
- 802
- Points
- 113
- Age
- 40
- Location
- Seattle
- Model
- Seafarer
It looks like per the 2007 parts catalogue that it should be an Ameritool 10-296 pneumatic shock, which shows as a 10-30#. I'd obviously call up Ameritool to confirm, as a quick Google search doesn't show any new products with that same part number, as it's likely an older or discontinued one. There's a "gas spring guide" on page 162 of the parts catalogue that gives you the specs on all of the springs. A 10-296 is a 30lb shock with a rod diameter of 0.25", a body diameter of 0.625", a stroke of 3", compressed length of 7", extended length of 10" and as mentioned a lift of 30lbs. I'd definitely measure yours out and double check first, but I imagine that's going to be the correct one. A quick call to Ameritool can likely get you a replacement. Good luck.
GW P.N. ROD DIA ( A ) BODY DIA ( B ) STOKE ( C ) COMPRESSED LENGTH ( D ) EXTENDED LENGTH ( E ) LIFT (LBS)
10-0191 0.25" 0.625" 3" 7" 10" 30
10-0192 0.25" 0.625" 2.25" 5.25" 7.5" 15
10-0236 0.312" 0.750" 6" 9" 15" 20
10-149 0.312" 0.750" 6" 9" 15" 125
10-295 0.25" 0.625" 2.25" 5.25" 7.5" 60
10-296 0.25" 0.625" 3" 7" 10" 30
10-297 0.25" 0.625" 2.25" 5.25" 7.5" 30
10-661 0.312" 0.750" 6" 9" 15" 40
10-674 0.312" 0.750" 4" 8" 12" 100
10-675 0.25" 0.625" 3" 7" 10" 60
10-677 0.312" 0.750" 4" 8" 12" 80
GW P.N. ROD DIA ( A ) BODY DIA ( B ) STOKE ( C ) COMPRESSED LENGTH ( D ) EXTENDED LENGTH ( E ) LIFT (LBS)
10-0191 0.25" 0.625" 3" 7" 10" 30
10-0192 0.25" 0.625" 2.25" 5.25" 7.5" 15
10-0236 0.312" 0.750" 6" 9" 15" 20
10-149 0.312" 0.750" 6" 9" 15" 125
10-295 0.25" 0.625" 2.25" 5.25" 7.5" 60
10-296 0.25" 0.625" 3" 7" 10" 30
10-297 0.25" 0.625" 2.25" 5.25" 7.5" 30
10-661 0.312" 0.750" 6" 9" 15" 40
10-674 0.312" 0.750" 4" 8" 12" 100
10-675 0.25" 0.625" 3" 7" 10" 60
10-677 0.312" 0.750" 4" 8" 12" 80
Last edited:
I have a 2000 Adventure 208. The gas struts do not hold the lid open. Since I bought the boat used, I don't know if this is normal. The existing struts (Ameritool 625-2-30#) require a lot of force to compress but it's possible that they are worn and need to be replaced. I could replace them with 35# versions but looking for info on how they are supposed to work.
Mustang65fbk
GreatGrady Captain
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2020
- Messages
- 3,081
- Reaction score
- 802
- Points
- 113
- Age
- 40
- Location
- Seattle
- Model
- Seafarer
That's not normal. The shocks should keep the lids open as that's what they're there for, of which they should also close with minimal force, not a lot of force as you mentioned is the case with your particular application. Sounds like they're needing to be replaced, where if I were you I'd call up Ameritool, tell them what you've got, what's going on with your lids and what they'd recommend...
"A lot of force" is subjective, but if they're not holding the lid up, then they're shot.... unless... did someone put smaller (poundage) shocks on there before you got the boat? If you don't have, or can't find, a parts manual - reach out to GW.
Pop it off and try manually compressing it... does it feel like 30#'s?
As far as finding replacements, these are very common. You can get them at Autozone, but they likely won't last very long. Ameritool makes good stuff - Atwood makes some nice ones, as well - including SS ones. All that matters is the poundage and open/closed length. The cup size, too - but in this range they should all be 10mm.
Do you have any other same size struts that you can try swapping?
Thanks.
I have no way of knowing if these Ameritool struts are original. Ameritool can't confirm what was installed on the boat but do supply them to G-W.
I realize "a lot of force" is subjective when pressing a small part together by hand. I have now used a spring scale to try to measure the force. Still hard to measure accurately but i got readings of around 19 - 20 pounds so clearly below spec.
I have ordered replacements from Maxum Hardware to match the ones I removed. Hopefully they will work, if not, perhaps I can exchange for higher rated models.
I have no way of knowing if these Ameritool struts are original. Ameritool can't confirm what was installed on the boat but do supply them to G-W.
I realize "a lot of force" is subjective when pressing a small part together by hand. I have now used a spring scale to try to measure the force. Still hard to measure accurately but i got readings of around 19 - 20 pounds so clearly below spec.
I have ordered replacements from Maxum Hardware to match the ones I removed. Hopefully they will work, if not, perhaps I can exchange for higher rated models.
Don't throw out the mounting hardware. Maxum will just provide the strut itself, not any of the hardware. In my case I just used the old mounting hardware as they were in god shape.
Thanks. One of the fittings was broken so I ordered a new set from Maxum. The fittings on the other well are still usable.