Need advice: reinstalling under deck wood panel (starboard side H33).

[Maurice Doran]

I am trying to reinstall the wood panel that has the grab rail moulding. It's screwed into the deck from the bottom and I am having a hell of a time finding the original holes to secure it back into position. I dropped the panel yesterday to access the wires that run to the small chrome spotlight fixture but I have been unable to reattach the panel. Has anyone had any success in removing and reattaching these panels? There has to be a way to get these back in place....

 

[Jake N Eggs]

I have not had the panels down but I have looked at how they are attached. I have to reseal and tighten a stanchion on the port side. The only thing that I can suggest is to use a couple of very long screws in opposite corners to hang and index the panel. Once the regular screws are started in the other sets of screw holes remove the long screws and install the regular length screws. The long screws may allow you to see the existing screw hole location.

Did you happen to notice if you can access the stanchion bases? If so, how are they secured to the deck? I am thinking that they probably have studs welded on the base and it is nuts that hold them in.

Good luck.

 

[Maurice Doran]

Hi Jake,

Thanks for the feedback. I was able to put everything back together with a second person assisting (holding the panel up as I probed for a screw hole using an awl). Once I had one screw tightened firmly, the other screw holes lined up so it only took a minute to get all the screws back in.

Unfortunately, I got your message after I had finished otherwise I would have looked for the stanchion studs. I think you can access them by pulling back the foam backed material that runs along the hull. The material folds back under the panel and it didn't look glued on so it should be easy to remove for inspection.

I know I would have to go in and check one of my stanchion bases at some point so let me know if you find a better way to get in there.

Cheers,

Maurice