Linear actuators are great for boats, especially if they’re designed to operate in a variety of conditions. I used an electronic actuator to automate the hatch, and it’s been working reliably for two seasons now. The units are compact, easy to install, and quite powerful. Plus, they’re hermetically sealed, protecting against moisture and dust. You can select different strokes to ensure hatch opens precisely to the desired angle. A big plus is that they can be connected to the control system and synchronized if you have multiple mechanisms. The end result is a very convenient solution, and now you don’t have to fiddle with the hatch manually when going out on the water.