Brothers and sisters ,has anyone tried hydraulic struts on their hatch cover , the guy at the local automotive shop reckons they will blow the deck clean off the boat, pros and cons please.
I don't think I would like anything that has only two positions, either fully open or fully closed. Far a hatch the sliding joint type of stay seems more sensible, lock it at any angle you like with a wing nut or knurled knob. Plus you know that it won't ever leak all the gas out and fail at the most inopportune time.
my two cents (inc. GST)
Gas struts are powerful things. Useful for assisting a lift of a heavy object, which a hatch cover is not.
In addition to LC's 2 cents, you would also lose the ability to open the hatch beyond the max of the strut - to 180 degrees or wherever yours goes to.
The picture is too grainy, can not see the hinges in detail but on my NEMO (made in Italy) hatches a ten mm Allen key takes care of the tightness of the cover.
I adjusted it two years ago stiff, still good. It should be quite tight not to come down by its own weight.
To be honest, never ever seen a strut on a yacht. 
Some people use a beer assist struts 
I surpose you could put a small keg in there and run a direct line to the cockpit 
then no strut needed
Which I think Brizzy Dave done to his boat
