Side Handles

[millz90]

Ok...so i an tryig to get the side handles off of the side of my boat and i can not get the far nut off. So my questions is does anyone have any ideas as to how to get to it? I can get a wrench on it to get it off but im worried about getting the nut back on when i put a new handle on it?
I can get my hand in the cup holder but not all the way back to that nut?

 

[Henry Boyd]

Do the bolts turn in the handle? Can you get to the the bolt through the larger opening?

If yes to above then you may have to do this as a two person job. Use a box end wrench, and 'glue' the nut into the wrench with something like gasket seal. You want it to stay on the wrench and allow you to hold the nut on the bolt without it popping off, but also be weak enough to allow you to get the wrench off. This will also minimize the risk of the nut falling and disappearing into the bilge.

Mount the easy nut bolt set first and leave it loose. Then set the back bolt through and have an assistant hold it in place. Now take the wrench and glued in nut and get it started. Now with one of you holding the wrench, turn the bolt to tighten. When the bolt bottoms, give the wrench a turn to properly tighten the nut, and wiggle the wrench off.

If the bolts do not turn in the handle. You will still need an assistant to hold it in place, as well as the glue trick. This time you get the nut started with the box end, and then break it loose, and switch to an open end. Will take longer and you will have to be more patient.

Henry

 

[millz90]

Yes sir! That sounds like a plan. I did get the nut off so the easy part is done. I just have to get a new handle and try the gluing it to the wrench. I have a couple extra nuts becuase im sure at least 1 will fall in the bilge...!

 

[mistercomputerman]

I think the NASCAR boys use this on the lug nuts to hold them to the wheel during tire changes:

http://www.shop3m.com/70070385854.html?WT.mc_id=GoogleProdSearch

 

[Lazy Daze]

Is the horn close by? Meaning, take the horn out and reach it that way. Of course, if this does work, it'll only work on one side...

Does your boat have an anchor locker?

Sometimes masking tape can work well, too. If you don't have the gasket sealeant laying around.

If you needed to, and it would help, you could always cut an access hole behind that cushion.

 

[millz90]

Is the horn close by? Meaning, take the horn out and reach it that way. Of course, if this does work, it'll only work on one side...

Does your boat have an anchor locker?

Sometimes masking tape can work well, too. If you don't have the gasket sealeant laying around.

If you needed to, and it would help, you could always cut an access hole behind that cushion.

No there isnt a locker but i think im going to create one becuase i cant get the front cleat off either! The engineers who made these boats need to do some hands on work rather than putting it on paper and saying "Yup that will work"

Were is a good place for the plastic part of the storage if i do cut out? Any suggestions on that?

 

[Lazy Daze]

No there isnt a locker but i think im going to create one becuase i cant get the front cleat off either! The engineers who made these boats need to do some hands on work rather than putting it on paper and saying "Yup that will work"

Were is a good place for the plastic part of the storage if i do cut out? Any suggestions on that?

I don't think there's room up there for an anchor locker.

I forgot to mention... try going at things through the front bow seat storage. That hole should actually allow you to get to the handle, the cleat and the bow light.

 

[millz90]

Naah cant get to any of that from under the seats.

I was thinking about cutting out between the 2 bow side pads straight in the front of the boat so i could easily get to everthing and then i would have a tiny storage area too, but i dont know were to look for a tiny glove box type unit. If you look in the picture you can see the holes were the two front pads bolt on, i was going to drill out a hole right there like glove box size or the entire front and see if i could get a plastic insert or something to put in there with a hinged door on it?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Naah cant get to any of that from under the seats.

I was thinking about cutting out between the 2 bow side pads straight in the front of the boat so i could easily get to everthing and then i would have a tiny storage area too, but i dont know were to look for a tiny glove box type unit. If you look in the picture you can see the holes were the two front pads bolt on, i was going to drill out a hole right there like glove box size or the entire front and see if i could get a plastic insert or something to put in there with a hinged door on it?

Ahh, no bow storage. OK, now I see why you're having so much trouble.

For "bins" try TH Marine or Flounder Pounder. There's other companies that make boxes, just can't think of any offhand. (Flounder Pounder sometimes has really good deals on things... they are a retailer, not a manufacturer).

 

[millz90]

Cool...so you think i could just cut out a spot for a bin in the front bow? Shouldnt look to bad and i could probably get a pretty good sizes bin in there.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Cool...so you think i could just cut out a spot for a bin in the front bow? Shouldnt look to bad and i could probably get a pretty good sizes bin in there.

Are you thinking of cutting a hole in the vertical part (ie: "backrest" area)? That might be tough to make everything look good (without copious amounts of silicone) since it's not flat.

The better spot would be under the front bow cushion (horizontal - where you sit). Depending on hole size, you might want to attach some aluminum angle iron under the hole for support.

 

[millz90]

Yeah that probably is a better idea. Not sure what you mean by angle iron under the hole though?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yeah that probably is a better idea. Not sure what you mean by angle iron under the hole though?

It'll depend on how big the hole is and if you think it needs it or not, but...

Google "angle iron" - you can get it in various lengths at just about any hardware store. It will add stiffness to the remaining fiberglass. That's one reason that the other seat holes have a turned down edge.

Oh, by the way, do not cut the hole's corners at 90* - make sure the corners are rounded (a penny will do the trick).

 

[millz90]

Cool I see what you mean. Yea im going to look for a bin then maybe put a hole in after that.
I will use the penny trick. Why are they not cut at 90's?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Cool I see what you mean. Yea im going to look for a bin then maybe put a hole in after that.
I will use the penny trick. Why are they not cut at 90's?

The gel coat will spider crack. Besides, a round corner is much stronger.

There's also a few tricks for drilling into gel/glass. Try a search here, use my name as a qualifier as a I was involved in one of the discussions. It should help to narrow the search down. If no luck, I'll find it for you later.

You could always box the hole out yourself out of wood or starboard. There's a lightweight version of starboard, too.