Removing port and starboard upholstered cockpit panels

Skidrow69

Member
Oct 10, 2015
47
Wasaga Beach ,Ontario
Boat Info
2009 350 Sundancer
Axius
Smart craft
Engines
2 X 496 Mag
B3 outdrives
I am trying to replace the 4 cockpit speakers in the cockpit of my 2009 Sundancer 330.
I have tried to pry the panels off covering the speakers with no success....fells like they will rip or tear..thought they may be on a sort of snap or something like car interiors but I am now starting to fear that they screwed on
the from the inside???
Anybody remove these panels?
 
Not sure about your particular boat but on the boats I’ve owned those panels are usually held in with threaded studs and nuts.
There are “T” nuts mounted in the back of the panels, the studs are threaded in to them. Then the panels are placed against the boat with the studs guided through holes drilled in the fiberglass.
Once in place they are secured there from behind with flat fender washers and nuts.
Each panel is usually secured at multiple points.
Reach up behind each panel and feel around for the nuts and studs.
They aren’t always easy to find or reach, but they are there and can be removed with a little patience.
You’ll probably need a 7/16” wrench to remove the nuts. At last that’s the size mine always seemed to be. The ratcheting type wrenches will make it go quicker. Sometimes there is space to get on to the nuts with a short socket on a 1/4” drive, but that’s not always the case.
 
The two panels that are on the arch above the sink on my 340SDA are attached with "christmas tree" snaps. I would pry gently with a plastic pry tool to see if you can get a view behind. If you see the plastic "trees" then it is simply applying prying press near the tree to pull out.

-Kevin
 
Here is a picture of my panels and a similar "Christmas Tree" rivet.

xDSC_0874.JPG Tree Rivet.jpg

-Kevin
 
Have you removed the speaker covers ? Usually the speakers are screwed in from the outside. Covers come off by twisting counter clockwise.
 
Have you removed the speaker covers ? Usually the speakers are screwed in from the outside. Covers come off by twisting counter clockwise.

Yes you're correct, getting the speaker off and the arch panels are usually two different things.

@Skidrow69: Why not post a picture of what your are trying to remove.

-Kevin
 
I have tried prying the panels but they are certainly anchored securely.
There is no way to get behind the port passenger side or port aft side on the arch without cutting.
The starboard side I can use use the access panel and feel around but not much use when I can not
remove the port panels.
I will take a pic and post it.
Thanks
 
On the arch, they undo by twisting counter-clockwise. If that won't work, pry them off with a screwdriver as a last resort. Protect the fg with a piece of cardboard or something.
 
Mine pull off as well with the Christmas tree plugs. I’m telling you I couldn’t believe how hard they were to remove but eventually I pulled and they came off. Don’t want you to break something but it took quite a bit of force.

I have a 2001 460 so mine could be different.
 

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