2004 Hunter 36 genoa track end cap bolt stuck - help!

[AndyL]

On my 2004 Hunter 36, the aft end cap on my port genoa track disintegrated and now the bolt won't come out.

The bolt is loose and turns but doesn't screw in or out. I can push the bolt flush head against the track or it comes about 3/4" out (as in the picture). I've tried putting upward pressure on it and then unscrewing it - it makes it more difficult to turn but still doesn't actually unscrew.

I assume there must be a captive nut, and perhaps you have to remove the plastic panel in the head that holds the strip light and the hatch in order to access it. That sucks!

I could cut it off but that may be a bad idea.

Has anyone removed this bolt or knows how to remove it?

 

[artboas]

View attachment 228373

On my 2004 Hunter 36, the aft end cap on my port genoa track disintegrated and now the bolt won't come out.

The bolt is loose and turns but doesn't screw in or out. I can push the bolt flush head against the track or it comes about 3/4" out (as in the picture). I've tried putting upward pressure on it and then unscrewing it - it makes it more difficult to turn but still doesn't actually unscrew.

I assume there must be a captive nut, and perhaps you have to remove the plastic panel in the head that holds the strip light and the hatch in order to access it. That sucks!

I could cut it off but that may be a bad idea.

Has anyone removed this bolt or knows how to remove it?

normally, these are threaded into an aluminum plate in the deck.
But, it looks like someone went with nuts underneath
You’re going to need to get under the track, and grip the nut.
You’ll also need to put a new bolt & nut in place once you fix this problem.
On my 49, there were no inboard tracks, and needed to install them. That involved drilling & tapping the aluminum plates.
I was totally sweating up a storm worried I’d bust a tap in the deck.