Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

[oceansbreeze]

My floor has 3 black round "access panels" the dealer told me they are for servicing, and didn't elaborate - you can see 2 of them here...

Is this something I can open myself? I want to see whats underneath, or if there is waterlogged foam, and to check condition of the wood floor (it feels a bit soft) I'd really like to know what exactly theses "access panels" are for?? thanks!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

Sure, go ahead and pop the covers to see what's underneath. My bet, they are for accessing the fuel tank's fittings, fill, sender and engine hose connection.

BTW, my 01 Crestliner's deck felt a bit bouncy on the big center panel. It was OK, just too big of an area for 1/2" plywood to feel solid.

I think you will find that your flotation foam is off to the sides of the fuel tank where it shouldn't get waterlogged. At least that's were it was in my boat of similar design. Removing one of the seat pedestal bases should give you access to the foam.

 

[JB]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

Deck

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

Congrats on buying a boat that's very nearly my dream boat.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

It's your boat. You can open or take apart anything you want to .....

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

Once you pull away from shore, there is no "dealer for servicing." Unlike a car, you need to know where everything is and what it does, and carry tools to deal with it. Even if you get someone to work on yuor boat you need to knw what's what.
If you can, lift up that whole floor panel.
While you're in there, check the plate on the fuel tank for its actual size. Sometimes they get switched ( a friend's 40 turned out to be 20!). If it's fiberglass get rid of it before you turn the key again.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

Thanks for replies.... I wondered if I needed a special tool, or if it just twists, I tried to open it last time I was fishing (they weren't biting, I got bored.... lol) should it just twist? I figured the dealer has a special tool I don't have...??

I'll check the tank. Princecraft spec said 107, and I had to put in 80 litres on my first fill up when the tank said 1/4 .... so I'm pretty confident that is accurate... but good to be sure...

Fisherdan I hope you're right, it doesn't really feel weak, more just lack of stringer support under it... especially right at the stepd into the bow, and the panel where a ski locker would go... everythign else feels rock solid.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

Thanks for replies.... I wondered if I needed a special tool, or if it just twists, I tried to open it last time I was fishing (they weren't biting, I got bored.... lol) should it just twist? I figured the dealer has a special tool I don't have...??

Some twist out (1/4 turn counterclockwise)

Some screw out (counterclockwise)

Some pop out by putting a screw driver or something under a "lip" in the lid. That type should be easy to spot as the cover is usually chewed up a little at the pry point.

Take a close look and I'm sure you'll figure it out. No special tools needed.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

Thank you so much, I really gotta stop being afraid to play with things..... they usually start off working fine, then broken once I try and play with 'em.. lol cheers!

 

[Splat]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

If they are hard to turn, use the back of a a pair of channel locks, one handle in each indent, and twist.

BIll

 

[rbh]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

it almost looks like the deck is separated into plates/sections, could there be storage under them?
rob

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

it almost looks like the deck is separated into plates/sections, could there be storage under them?
rob

that is what I am hoping!! I am disappointed there i no ski locker.... I didn't get a chance to try and open it tonight due to the rain, but will try soon.... It would be nice to have a ski locker and extra storage...

 

[grego]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

looks like dranes. the larger one looks like like ski storage, ownly that the pull tabs are stuck inside, pull it apart and find out what you are dealing with.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

Deck

Sole? the floor of a ship's cabin or cockpit.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Floor Access Panels... for me, or dealer?

so the foreward panel of the sole (or deck) unscrews, and it just unscrews till it pops out.... I can see the gas tank, and the rubber hose and some clamps holding it.... tank looked like plastic? Will take a closer look... faint gas fume smell, but nothing noticeable till I popped off the cover..

the middle panel opened and I could see a small plate with some wires screwed to it.... mayeb it is the gas guage floater connected to the dash?

I couldn't budge the aft panel, it's larger, and a different style... I'll get some tools and give it a proper kick to get it moving.. I don't expect I'll find much there either.. I kinda thought loosening the black ports would let the centre floor come up. At closer look, I can see screws in the carpet...