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190 engine compartment keeps opening while hauling

Southernboater

Jet Boat Lover
Messages
16
Reaction score
5
Points
72
Boat Make
Scarab
Year
2014
Boat Model
Other
Boat Length
19
the past two trips (300+ miles) my engine compartment has opened up several times whil driving on the interstAte. I have the seats folded down completely. I only have a mooring cover, so I don't leave that on when traveling. Anyone else had issues with their 195 doing this? I'm guessing it's a faulty latch.
 
the past two trips (300+ miles) my engine compartment has opened up several times whil driving on the interstAte. I have the seats folded down completely. I only have a mooring cover, so I don't leave that on when traveling. Anyone else had issues with their 195 doing this? I'm guessing it's a faulty latch.
Sounds like a latch that needs some adjustment!
I would do it before you take her to Bimini. :)

--
 
There should be some adjustment in the latch or the post the latch closes on.
 
Had that happen a few times. Ended up being the wood broke that holds the pin, making it sit at an angle thus not allowing the latch to grab it properly.
 
We had the same issue on our 215. Except it would happen while underway! It is a faulty latch. Ours was fixed under warranty.
 
Replace the latch. Scarab is working on this issue. It seems that it's due to repetitive motion when the engine compartment is opened and closed improperly. The proper way is to press down on stainless grab bar first, and then reach your fingers under to release the tab. What has probably happened in the past is that someone just stuck their strong fingers under the latch and just tried to release the latch without releasing that extra pressure form the storage shocks, cracking the latch slightly. When under way, a good bounce opens it up. They will replace it under warranty and they are relatively inexpensive if you have to pay for it.
 
On our maiden voyage this weekend the engine hatch popped up three times, while under power. We had somebody sit on the hatch seat until we got back to the dock. The pin that the latch closes on was a little loose so we tightened the nut on the pin and was all good on the next ride. Hopefully this fixed it permanently. All three times it popped open while under full power. Scared the shit out of me at first! It's gonna be in the back of my head for the next couple of rides
 
Replace the latch. Scarab is working on this issue. It seems that it's due to repetitive motion when the engine compartment is opened and closed improperly. The proper way is to press down on stainless grab bar first, and then reach your fingers under to release the tab. What has probably happened in the past is that someone just stuck their strong fingers under the latch and just tried to release the latch without releasing that extra pressure form the storage shocks, cracking the latch slightly. When under way, a good bounce opens it up. They will replace it under warranty and they are relatively inexpensive if you have to pay for it.

Don't you love it when manufacturers blame issues on the customer. I had a similar issue with GM and the fancy chrome door handles used on many of their trucks. When kids pull at a downward angle they break. From my perspective a $60K "Professional Grade" truck should not have plastic door handles and a boat should not have an engine hatch latch that is easily broken.

@Ron@Scarab, could you remind us what your position is with Scarab? Do you own a dealership? Do you work for Scarab? We certainly want to encourage positive communication between Scarab and their customers but we also need to understand what your role is as you appear to be representing the company. Thanks
 
Damn I cant e find my fix on here. But what I did was remove the 6 screws under the lid. That takes the seat off. I got short bolts with locking nuts and really big washers.
Took like 45 min once I had the parts. Haven't had a problem since.

Glad to see Rec Boats has fixed the problem over the past few years. Oh the joys
 
Fit on the engine hatch isn't real good either. As you can see from the picture below, the gap on both sides is nowhere near equal. Same fitment issue on the rear of the hatch looking from the swim platform at the hatch. Not a big deal I guess, Maybe I'm just being picky on a $60,000 boat.

Since my boat was brand new I think we can throw out the "repetitive motion" idea. I only opened it maybe twice before that first ride.
 

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Don't you love it when manufacturers blame issues on the customer. I had a similar issue with GM and the fancy chrome door handles used on many of their trucks. When kids pull at a downward angle they break. From my perspective a $60K "Professional Grade" truck should not have plastic door handles and a boat should not have an engine hatch latch that is easily broken.

@Ron@Scarab, could you remind us what your position is with Scarab? Do you own a dealership? Do you work for Scarab? We certainly want to encourage positive communication between Scarab and their customers but we also need to understand what your role is as you appear to be representing the company. Thanks


As I have said over and over again in previous posts, I do not work for Scarab. My "Ron@Scarab" is only a user ID, that is not false advertising--it only made sense to use that since I am a Scarab dealer with a lot of knowledge and experience. In addition, you can see my "User Id" picture that states the company name. I can easily go by CaptainRon, ScarabRon, Ronsdeliwhatsyourbeef, etc., but it doesn't matter anyway, since it is only a User ID name. Also, my role here has been representing only good things to show people that someone is here for them. Scarab has said that this is a good thing for me to be here so that we (myself and Scarab) can help. This site was presented to me by a valued customer. When I saw that there were some issues that people were having trouble with in regards to service and warranty, (Marine Max issues), let alone a simple tech question--I thought I could help, which I believe I have. I do not get paid, nor endorsed to be here. It's on my own time and my own dime. I offer my 2 cents here from 20 years of being in the business servicing Seadoo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki PWC and Jet Boats. My comment above that you "Quoted" Bruce, is from experience. I have literally witnessed people doing this to their latches. Do I think it should be fixed---absolutely! Should it do that, No! Scarab is working on that issue and have made improvements (As I already stated above). As an added FYI, anyone here on this Forum, can email me, message me, post a message to me to get help, and if I can help them, I will. Otherwise, as my saying below my posts states, I am always glad to help, unless you become an internet expert. I don't have time for that. Cheers and Beers, now get back to boating instead of being here!
 
Fit on the engine hatch isn't real good either. As you can see from the picture below, the gap on both sides is no near equal. Same fitment issue on the rear of the hatch looking from the swim platform at the hatch. Not a big deal I guess, Maybe I'm just being picky on a $60,000 boat.

Since my boat was brand new I think we can throw out the "repetitive motion" idea. I only opened it maybe twice before that first ride.
Oh looking at yours it's different than my 195. Does the top mechanism that latches to the bottom rod...does it back out of its mounting. Do the bolts or screws that secure that latching handle pull through.

That's what was happening to mine. It got loose and started to come open then later it just backed completely out. Seat went up and latch and everything stayed connected.
 
Oh looking at yours it's different than my 195. Does the top mechanism that latches to the bottom rod...does it back out of its mounting. Do the bolts or screws that secure that latching handle pull through.

That's what was happening to mine. It got loose and started to come open then later it just backed completely out. Seat went up and latch and everything stayed connected.

Oh wow.

The top mechanism has not backed out of its mounting but the rod was a little loose. After we tightened the bolts on the rod the hatch has not flown up.
 
Get some of this stuff and spray it on all your radio contacts. My aircraft mechanic swears by this stuff. I drenched my radio with it. Supposed to bullet proof for electronics. Hopefully radio #3 will last a whole season.
 

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I had the same problem. I took it back to the dealer where I purchased the boat and they replaced the bottom latch with a large one. Works fine now.
 
Engine hatch flew up again while under way. We are going to notify the dealer and see what they can do.
 
Anybody else still having hatch issues?
 
Yep. Brand new popped up two of three times we trailered it. Finding other problems also. More to come.
 
Dealer ordered a new latch for me under warranty.

We are taking a six hour road trip this weekend which should give me a good idea if the new latch works.
 
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