Loose handle on Open Bow!! Help

[kippenstuff]

We have a 1998 StarCraft 1810LX open bow boat. On the front, there are two handles that are close to the top of the boat. On one of the handles, the nut came off the bolt that secures it to the boat. The bolt comes straight out of the handle and then in bolted from inside the boat. I removed one cup holder and was able to reach my skinny arm up there and tighten up one side, but the other side has absolutely no accesss to get the nut back on and tighten it down. What next?? There is no access panel behind the padded bow seats to get access. Thanks for any help or advice!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Loose handle on Open Bow!! Help

i saw somewhere recently expanding fasteners for marine use, but can't remember where, could you used one of the poly type wall fasteners that spreads.

 

[salty87]

Re: Loose handle on Open Bow!! Help

in my open bow i can get access to those areas by going under the seat cushions. perhaps yours is similar. maybe take a speaker out?

 

[kippenstuff]

Re: Loose handle on Open Bow!! Help

Can't go through the seat cushion. Because you would have to be inspector Gadget to get your arm up in there. LOL

 

[tiller7104]

Re: Loose handle on Open Bow!! Help

The wing style spring dealy LOL They are available in Stainless Steal. I just saw them on ebay, from a marine supply guy. Look around you can find them..The only draw back is you have to drill the hole big enough to say get a 1/4 20 spring wing nut through it. As long as your handle base will cover the hole you are in like flin !!

 

[walk-on]

Re: Loose handle on Open Bow!! Help

I had the exact same problem on my 95 starcraft. The only way to replace the nut was to remove the deck or cut holes that I didn't want to cut. I drilled a hole through the rail into the fiberglass and stuck a stainless steel screw in the hole. My rail doesn't move at all now. You might want to put some sealer in the hole. I didn't but, I didn't know any better then.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Loose handle on Open Bow!! Help

Kippen, Is it possible to replace the current bolt with an extra long bolt, that you could reach the end of, inside the gunwale? If so, you could put a wing nut or a SS wing-type drywall anchor on it and tighten it.

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Loose handle on Open Bow!! Help

I rented the 9 year old kid next door to hold the nuts with a wrench for the bow rail on my Wellcraft, the opening was 9" high and 2 feet deep he was able to get in there and hold the nuts so I could tighten them..... well worth the 10 bucks