hinges.... suitability...

Am about to obtain hinges or a hinge for the motor cover/sunpad for boat I am rebuilding. Hinged edge is 71 inches. Trying to decide if a continuous (piano) hinge (3 inches
wide when laying open) or say 6-8 hinges like these ( http://www.boatoutfitters.com/store/p/67-Stainless-Steel-Butt-Hinge-3-x-1-5-.html ) are the better choice. The
sunpad is 3/4 material and the mounting edge on the boat deck is about as straight as is possible to be...+/- a 1/16 as close as I can measure.

What are the pros and cons to both? What difficulties am I likely to encounter in installing either system?

As always any and all information, opinions and critiques are solicited.

Thanks to all in advance...

Re: hinges.... suitability...

I have a 6' x 3" SS piano hinge in my refurbished '72 Starcraft. It actually hinges 3 separate "lids" from the stern cross-member. I got it at a local marine flea market for $10. I'm sure it's regularly worth at least $80. Sounds expensive, but you could spend the same on a number of smaller SS hinges. Equally priced, I'd install the piano hinge. The install is simpler and you won't have any binding issues from misaligned hinges. Looks better too. - Grandad

Re: hinges.... suitability...

I got a couple off-set hinges for my hatches and stern box lid from here: http://veada.com/category-1/8-Boat-Hinges-and-Pedestals.html if you can settle for aluminum, they are certainly cost-effective.

Re: hinges.... suitability...

Granddad, sounds like you got the est of both worlds.....the right part and the right price.....that same basic hinge, delivered is about $60.....is very high on
the list...cosmetics are not of a real high priority as only the smallest part of the hinge (at the "joint") will be visible maybe a 1/4" viewing.
Thanks for you input

ezmobee, those hinges that you bought...there is not much info about actual material thickness etc. this motor cover/sunpad will get use as a sunpad and
"from water access" (up the ladder) will all come across this cover......I of course would use multiples probably 4 for this use...Do you think they would hold up to that kind of use??

thanks to both for your replies.....anyone else have any to add??

Re: hinges.... suitability...

daydreamer1252 said:

"from water access" (up the ladder) will all come across this cover......I of course would use multiples probably 4 for this use...Do you think they would hold up to that kind of use??

Click to expand...

At the hinged top of most fold down "sleeper seats", manufacturers use a piano hinge covered by upholstery vinyl during installation of the hinge. That would make the hinge waterproof. Of course it would cover up that 1/4" of nice shiny stainless. Vinyl covering a cheaper aluminum piano hinge might be the best route to go. Aluminum will wear faster than stainless, but for sure it'll last longer than the upholstery. - Grandad

Re: hinges.... suitability...

I don't see an aluminum piano hinge 3" wide at Iboats, but they are around. See
http://store.wellscargo.com//Piano-Hinge-Aluminum-3Wx-80-18L-P1029.aspx

Re: hinges.... suitability...

Grandad,
Now that you mention it they are covered by upholstery....that should be do-able....the hinge you found is a better choice than 4 shorter lengths that I was
considering...I don't think that the wear is really a factor....will probably get used 6-8 times per week 20 weeks a year.....for 15 years that's only 2400 cycles
over a life time with relatively light loading during the cycles......will give that serious thought....I guess if it wore out in 10 years I could just replace it again....

thanks again........