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I’m just getting started with our newly acquired 2011 230. It seems to me the engine cover is very heavy. The gas struts hold it open, but are no help when it’s past half way down. Before I replace the struts, I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced the heavy weight issue. If you replaced the struts, did it help? Any other solutions come to mind?

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That definitely sounds like bad struts LB.
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Gas cartridge strutts are generally weak in cold weather, and once there a few years old like yours just replace them. Should be a number on them so you can get the correct length and Eylet ends.
Its not going to pop open like a car trunk or hood , but it will help.

Yea I agree with the boys here. I want to change mine and go up a few pounds to help even more. You just don't want to go to strong.

lastbuck wrote: Sat Feb 16, 2019 10:06 pm I’m just getting started with our newly acquired 2011 230. It seems to me the engine cover is very heavy. The gas struts hold it open, but are no help when it’s past half way down. Before I replace the struts, I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced the heavy weight issue. If you replaced the struts, did it help? Any other solutions come to mind?

My 2011 242 struts hold it open no problem, but it does take a little effort to lift the lid. On the way down you definitely don't want to let it just fall, it would close too hard. I think mine is ok considering the weight that is being supported, but maybe mine need replacing also.

One thing to check is if the sun pad itself is water logged. They can be 3x the original weight on older boats with years of people getting in and out of the boat wet, and drying off standing on that single point of the boat.

2004 220

That's a good point about the water logged cushions. Mine drip terribly when raised, but cobalt has a water channel but the water usually misses the channel. In the past I've put plastic over the engine when its dripping alot. It drips just behind the flame arrester. The water (rain water) got nothing to do with the struts but I think I'll get new struts anyway. BTW- when I work on the engine I remove the struts and have 2x4" cut to keep the hatch raised.

I recently replaced my struts and wow - what a huge difference! Not like this is any help to you...

akorcovelos wrote: Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:21 am One thing to check is if the sun pad itself is water logged. They can be 3x the original weight on older boats with years of people getting in and out of the boat wet, and drying off standing on that single point of the boat.

I had my sunpad/ engine hatch recovered on my old boat 2 years ago. I told the guy to make sure he wrapped the foam in plastic before applying the cover. I got the ol' yeah yeah, sure from him. A year later it was so heavy I could barely lift it. I took it back and had him redo it.

Ordered new struts today. Will let you know if this solves the problem.

Welcome fellow beaver laker! I was watching the 230 on the market for a while. Nice boat you picked up! Congrats!!

New struts arrived Thursday, and I installed them today. There was some improvement, and I can live with it.

lastbuck wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 12:29 am New struts arrived Thursday, and I installed them today. There was some improvement, and I can live with it.

Good to hear. Wait until it gets warm , and you see a huge difference as they are a gas filled strut that’s weaker in cold temps. ( warm engine bay as well).

Brand new, my engine cover required a fair effort to open and had to be held while lowering to keep it from slamming down. I thunk they’re just built to help and keep the lid open, not to do all the work. Not sure how they decide on how much assist to use, but I sure wouldn’t want it popping up on its own if I went over a big wave.

My Donzi used to pop open going down the hwy. Yecks!! Had to strap it down every trip.