Companionway handle confusion

[AnnekeHobson]

Working on a 1988 Brewer 44 and feeling silly about not getting how to re-attach this companionway handle. Any ideas?? The wood handle, which a previous owner must have taken down for some reason, already has 2 screws in it, and the companionway has an obvious place for them to go. But I can't see how I would attach it securely.

Thank you more experienced sailors!!

 

[JoeWhite]

If you look closely on the opposite side of the screw you will see a wood insert about 3/8" in diameter. Use a sharp knife and remove the wooden dowel or drill it out, you will see the head of the screw. Unscrew and remove the screw.
It appears to me that the handle stripped out of the bulkhead rather than removed. This means that you will not be able to screw back into the same holes. If possible use longer machine screw, then drill through the bulkhead and install a washer and a bolt on the opposite side. Then insert a dowel where the bolt head is, cut and sand and finish the surface.

 

[AnnekeHobson]

This is SO helpful thank you for such a quick and thorough response!