Uflex Hatch Lifts
Uflex Electromechanical Hatch Lifts for Marine Applications
When it comes to safely managing heavy engine hatches, peak tanks, and hatch beams aboard a pleasure boat, few solutions are as purpose-built as Uflex hatch lifts. Established in 1989, Uflex USA is a leader in steering and control systems for the marine industry, with full manufacturing capabilities in Sarasota, Florida. That same engineering discipline carries directly into their lineup of hatch lifts — devices designed to do one job exceptionally well in one of the harshest environments on earth.
The AV and AVL Series: Built for the Marine Environment
The AV hatch lifters are electromechanical products especially designed for marine use on pleasure boats, allowing full or partial opening and closing of heavy engine hatches, peak tanks, hatch beams, and more. What sets Uflex apart from passive gas-strut alternatives is the level of control and safety engineered into every actuator.
- Self-Locking Mechanism: By activating a switch, the hatch can be lifted to any desired position from closed to full open; an internal self-locking mechanism maintains the position, preventing any accidental hatch closing — and in case of a power failure, an emergency device allows for manual opening.
- Marine-Grade Construction: The AV and AVL hatch lifters feature anodized aluminum and stainless steel construction specifically designed for the marine environment.
- Impressive Load Ratings: According to the load required, the AV hatch lifter can be mounted individually or in twin-cylinder installation for heavier loads — with a maximum load of 265 lbs for single installations and 529 lbs for dual installations.
- Overcurrent Protection: A built-in circuit breaker stops accidental overloading of the system, and electronic stops at the closed or full-open position are included, all rated to IP 65 protection.
- Locking vs. Non-Locking Variants: The AVL series adds a fast-locking feature that keeps the actuator secured when in the closed position, making it ideal for applications where hatch security at rest is paramount. The standard AV series suits general lifting duties without the locking requirement.
Multiple Stroke Lengths to Fit Your Vessel
Uflex offers AV and AVL hatch lifters across several stroke lengths to accommodate the geometry of different hatches and mounting configurations. Available models include the AV3012, AV4512, and AV6012 (a 53-inch electromechanical hatch lift), as well as their locking counterparts the AV3012L, AV4512L, and AV6012L. The compact U1812 features a 7-inch stroke for tighter installations. This range of options means that whether you're lifting a compact access panel or a full-length engine hatch on a large cruiser, there's a Uflex actuator sized for the task.
Scalable for Any Hatch Weight
When the load exceeds 2,400 N (530 lbs), it is possible to install more than two AV actuators by consulting Uflex's technical service for the proper electrical configuration. This scalability makes Uflex hatch lifts suitable for everything from small runabouts to large sportfishing vessels with especially heavy engine compartment covers.
As an affiliate of the Ultraflex Group, Uflex USA has tremendous resources to draw upon for new product development in hydraulics, electronics, and many other technologies — a pedigree that is clearly evident in the reliability and thoughtful engineering of their hatch lift range. Browse the full selection of marine hatch lifts or explore everything Uflex has to offer across their complete marine product catalog.