Edson pedestal base loose

[Bob E.]

I have a 1989 Hunter 30G with Edson wheel steering pedestal. This is the cable-quadrant type steering. The pedestal is secured to the cockpit floor by four large Phillips head machine screws. The forward two srews are loose. The screws can be lifted right out of the base. The nuts that I assume were once used to attach these screws must have fallen off. My problem is that I cannot find a way to access the bottom of these screws to replace the nuts. I can get my hand in under the pedestal base and reach the nuts on the two aft screws, but there seems to be some sort of structural obstruction that prevents reaching the bottom of the two forward screws. Can anyone tell me how to access these screws? So far, my only idea is to bore two large holes in the head liner of the aft cabin.Thanks.

 

[Jim Bohart]

cull Hunter customer service.

NMJB

 

[Bob E.]

Need advice from someone who knows the model

Jim, I called customer service and talked to Greg. He couldn't help me. He says that all boats have an access panel in the ceiling of the aft cabin, but mine doesn't. The pedestal is bolted on before the deck is attached to the boat, so there is not necessarily any access to this area. Greg says he wasn't around in 1989 when the 30G was built. (Hull number HUNG0630989). I will call back next week when more guys are back from holiday, but if you could be any more help, I would appreciate it. Do you know if cutting holes from below will compromise the watertight integrity of the cockpit drainage channel?Thanks.