Latching the doghouse on 23 CC i/o

[keith]

Hi All,

Does anyone have a recommendation on how to latch the engine cover on an i/o? I'm looking at these http://www.southco.com/en-us/product....html?hid=7320
Has anyone else installed a latch on their engine cover?
I can also see how over the years the cover is digging into the floor and is making it's way through the fiberglass. It is already past the gelcoat by a good bit. I attached a picture of it. Do you guys use rubber for where the cover meets the floor?

[bigeasy1]

I don't have the ctr console,but I have a 23 Tsunami with an I/O.I don't use any latches to hold down the doghouse.I have a pair of the take apart hinges that secure it to the front of the dog house.
To lift it,I just put my fingers under the rear lip of the cover and lift.I thought about putting hold downs on it,but I never got around to it,and Im kind of glad i never did.Its less stuff that can catch fishing lines or net bags,or my legs.
The dam box is so heavy that it stays put very well.Like you,I thought about putting something to cushion it and protect the gel coat but its not really noticeable,and the wear on the gel coat is not really structurally damaging.

My buddy uses those flexible rubber hold downs on his engine cover in his south shore 30 lobster boat and they do the job very well.