Turtle deck hinge question.

[Lyndon]

I have heard they can leak water. Those who have built , food idea to order the kit or go without.
Thanks Lyndon

[jrevens]

I have heard they can leak water. Those who have built , food idea to order the kit or go without.
Thanks Lyndon

Hi Lyndon,

I know that others have done hinged turtledeck covers before, but I found the specific hinge material and shared the way I did it with the group, and with Kitfox. The hinge is a "living hinge". FWIW, it's been on about 6 years now, through lots of rain, and I've never had a problem with leakage.

91 Screenshot-2018-1-16 Plastic Living Hinges Jifram Extrusions.jpg

[rtc183]

I haven't had a leak either but the sun caused it to get brittle and crack. I coat it with 303 protectant now. 5 years till it cracked and only 1 on the new hinge.

[Lyndon]

Thanks for the reply.
I won't order the hinge kit. I'm thinking we can stuff what we carry from the front. If need be during the build I can change my mind. I do like the Living hinge set up.
Thanks Lyndon

[Delta Whisky]

FWIW - I've been flying my KF for almost 4 years now and it wasn't until I flew supplies into NC a few weeks ago that I used the rear turtle deck access. (Cardboard boxes that could have been unpacked to get the stuff into the baggage area.) Ordinarily, the stuff I carry is either small or in soft bags and access from the front works great. This is to say - I'm with you - wait until you see a need on the horizon.

[rtc183]

Really? I use mine all the time.

[jrevens]

Really? I use mine all the time.

Me too! I also haven?t seen any cracking or embrittlement of the hinge. It is advertised as ?UV resistant?. My airplane is hangared, and I use my canopy cover when necessary, i.e. at OSH for a week or more. Not quite as useful on a tricycle-geared ship, but very nice with a taildragger.