perko latch

[getakey]

the lock broke on the perko latch on my back storage locker. It is stuck in locked position, key just turns in the lock.

Was thinking of drilling through the lock to release. Anyone else have a better idea?

[txwakejunkie]

the lock broke on the perko latch on my back storage locker. It is stuck in locked position, key just turns in the lock.

Was thinking of drilling through the lock to release. Anyone else have a better idea?

if you can get in the locker from the seats in the cabin there is a alan head screw that hold the arm on. you could remove it that way and remove the entire latch from the boat and replace.

[getakey]

thanks for idea

Not sure I could easily get at the latch from underneath unless I can pull everything stored in there out through the seat removal, but will give it a go.

[txwakejunkie]

thanks for idea

Not sure I could easily get at the latch from underneath unless I can pull everything stored in there out through the seat removal, but will give it a go.

It will be a tight fit for sure, if your a big guy you may want to find a small friend.

[Bill_AirJunky]

You should be able to open the opposite side hatch, then the engine cover, and then open the wall separating the engine bay & the storage area, then the Perko lock should be accessible on the other side of the angle support.

Hopefully your storage compartment isn't stuffed so full you can't push the wall in a few inches..... like mine is a lot of the time.

I just noticed this weekend that just about any key will open mine. Nice & secure.....

[getakey]

You should be able to open the opposite side hatch, then the engine cover, and then open the wall separating the engine bay & the storage area, then the Perko lock should be accessible on the other side of the angle support.

Hopefully your storage compartment isn't stuffed so full you can't push the wall in a few inches..... like mine is a lot of the time.

I just noticed this weekend that just about any key will open mine. Nice & secure.....

Nice thgouht, but I have a Sunsetter Direct Drive - there's only one large compartment across the back.

[Bill_AirJunky]

Duh, sorry should have checked.

So how about going thru the back seat? Or a vent?

[getakey]

Duh, sorry should have checked.

So how about going thru the back seat? Or a vent?

Will have more time to investigate options this weekend, its not at my house.

I'm thinking the easiest might be to just drill or punch out the lock since I need to replace the whole thing anyway. It does not look hardened steel.

[Pistol Pete]

I think if you go to west marine and buy the new latch that you're going to need you might find out that you can just un-screw the the latch. It is in two pieces. If you spray some vinly cleaner under the outer black ring to act as a lubricant, I think you will be able to unscrew the upper/outer section of the latch. I remember there being a really large plastic nut on the back side holding the whole thing together.

I think this is the latch.

Or, maybe, this one.

Perko's site. See pg. 206

[getakey]

I think if you go to west marine and buy the new latch that you're going to need you might find out that you can just un-screw the the latch. It is in two pieces. If you spray some vinly cleaner under the outer black ring to act as a lubricant, I think you will be able to unscrew the upper/outer section of the latch. I remember there being a really large plastic nut on the back side holding the whole thing together.

I think this is the latch.

Or, maybe, this one.

Perko's site. See pg. 206

Thanks

Don't let those bad guys read this.

[wienrdog]

Yours may be more secure than mine, but I can just pull open the storage lid even when it's locked. There isn't a lot of overlap between the tab on the perko & the aluminum angle brace in the trunk...

Also, the locking mechanism is plastic & if the key is just spinning, you should be able to break the latch free with a wrench on the handle.

Shhh.....

[dhcomp]

the lock broke on the perko latch on my back storage locker. It is stuck in locked position, key just turns in the lock.

Was thinking of drilling through the lock to release. Anyone else have a better idea?

I need to now replace my 2nd one. But to get into it, just grab the little unlock handle, and turn. It will click, and let you in. These, even when working, arent' very secure. Just force the handle to turn, regardless of key position. Shouldn't need to drill through or do anything crazy like that.

[TallRedRider]

I think if you go to west marine and buy the new latch that you're going to need you might find out that you can just un-screw the the latch. It is in two pieces. If you spray some vinly cleaner under the outer black ring to act as a lubricant, I think you will be able to unscrew the upper/outer section of the latch. I remember there being a really large plastic nut on the back side holding the whole thing together.

I think this is the latch.

Or, maybe, this one.

Perko's site. See pg. 206

My Perko latch broke after a week of newbies trying to keep it latched and then just pulling on it hard when it was latched. I am pretty sure that it comes from the factory set up so that the nice chrome perko logo is upward only when the latch is on. I never lock mine, so I always have the other side up, which is a phillips head screw and the underside of the handle is showing. It doesn't look nice unlocked, so my homies have always thought that it must go the other way, and then they close the latch. Then when they want a life jacket, they just pull on it without spinning it and it finally broke. I just realized that I can just loosen the little allen wrench bolt on the lock arm and reverse the locking arm. Then it will look nice and tidy while I have it unlatched, with the chrome side up. That might be helpful for anyone out there with the same issue.

Anyway, I go to replace the Perko latch today, and I can't even fathom how to get the thing to loosen up. There is a 3 inch locking nut on there, but it is very tight, and it is about impossible to get any sort of tool around the nut to loosen it up. Is the best solution to still loosen it up with vinyl cleaner and try again? Any other ideas?

[TallRedRider]

Soon after I typed that, I got an idea. I have an oil filter wrench that could barely catch the edges of that large locking nut, then I was able to spin it off. It still took a fair amount of resistance. I don't think I would ever have gotten it by hand.

Then when I put the new one on, I just put her finger tight, and it feels good and snug. Job accomplished!

And I reversed the latch so that the perko insignia is showing when the latch is open. Now I don't think people will be accidentally closing it all the time. Now I have 2 different keys for my rear hatches, yayy.