Unable to access to tighten loose hardware

[14 Nevada water fun]

I have a 1996 Bayliner 1700LS. The interior grip handles (stainless) attached to the fiberglass in the open bow have worked loose. I can see no easy way of accessing to tighten the hardware (hardware includes stainless threaded stud, nut and washer). Is there a special tool to access this hardware, or is there a way to remove cushions located below handle to expose access opening?

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Unable to access to tighten loose hardware

So you can see the stud, nut and washer?
But can't get to the other end of the fastener?
And the stud turns when you turn the nut?
Is the stud hexed on the very end or have a male torx end on it?
Or maybe an allen wrench hole in the end of it?

 

[Coors]

Re: Unable to access to tighten loose hardware

Probably removing cushions. Look hard at how the mounting is, sometimes it just takes stretching your arm over it's limits, but works.

 

[14 Nevada water fun]

Re: Unable to access to tighten loose hardware

On one side of the handle the hardware (stud, nut and washer) came off completely. The hole for the stud is through the fiberglass, the fiberglass runs down from the mounting hole about 16" with about a 1 1/2" gap at the bottom. There is no way to reach behind the fiberglass to re-secure the hardware.

 

[14 Nevada water fun]

Re: Unable to access to tighten loose hardware

These cushions are attached somehow to the fiberglass, not the one's you sit on.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Unable to access to tighten loose hardware

These cushions are attached somehow to the fiberglass, not the one's you sit on.

They are probably held with clips and you may or may not be able to get behind them. You may have to put in an acess plate.

 

[Coors]

Re: Unable to access to tighten loose hardware

Try removing the ones you sit on, and an arm stretch, like rubberman. The factory installed them- there is a way to tighten them, but not always fun.

 

[14 Nevada water fun]

Re: Unable to access to tighten loose hardware

Thank you all for your comments. Found out that my boats top end was assembled in two pieces, so back cushions and handles were assembled prior with no access available. I ended up cutting a notch in the bottom edge of the fiberglass to allow my hand enough room to get up to insert the stud and tighten both nuts with a 1/2" socket. Still was not easy.