General Info: removing Fountain Pajot life raft stowage unit

[Dragon Lady]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to remove the life raft stowage box on my Lavezzi.
I can't get the 4 nuts undone on the back of it as the bolts are just spinning when I turn the nuts.
I remember someone posting comment that this job is a pain.
Does anyone have any tips?
Or experience finding the heads of the bolts which I assume are somewhere in the rudder bus bar compartment.

[DtM]

What are you doing with the box when you have removed it?

Knowingf FP the heads of the bolts will be in a very difficult place because they will have installed the box before the deck went on!!

[Dragon Lady]

I have a couple of pulled screws which need a small repair and the davit attach bolts need to be tightened.
So it may be easier to leave it in but I'm not sure about that.

[jnrdafoe]

I have removed 6mm screws that I thought were being stubborn with locktite but actually had locknuts on them. Using a small prybar you keep steady pressure under the nut while turning HOPEFULLY preventing the bolt from turning. Do everything you can to free the nut including heat. A soldering iron is perferred over open flame.
Good Luck

[Dragon Lady]

OK thanks for that advice, I think I may try cutting the nuts off with a fine cutoff wheel in a die grinder. It will probably be quicker and easier than the soldering iron and the nuts are cheap to replace.

[jnrdafoe]

It's hard to beat a Dremel Tool with a cutoff wheel! I carry 2. One that won't die & the variable speed replacement.
Good luck!

[Dragon Lady]

Thanks, I've gone for the Maketa 18v Lith Ion cordless set up almost the same grunt as mains power tools

[Dragon Lady]

Just as a follow up for anyone else doing this job, you don't need to remove the nuts at the back of the compartment.
They just hold on two rub strips and the compartment will come out without the need to remove them.