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Newbe mistake, need some advice. I do not have a Mac trailor but a home built model. In order to help secure my to the trailor I was placeing a ratchet strap on each side of the pulpits front tubes. When backing down a very steep ramp I had to hit the brakes (dog) and broke both of the tubes about 6" above the base and broke the welds at the base. I got an idea on how to repair the pulpit (suggestions appreceated) but my proublem is that the screws that hold it to the deck will turn but not back out of the deck. What am I doing wrong? I do not see any way to get to any thing from the inside. Is their some place to get a replacement pulpit,as a last resort?

I can drill them out but only as a last resort. I am afraid that welding while the pulpit is still mounted to the boat might hurt the fiberglass.

Having just done a whole heap of mods requiring access to the area where your pulpit is attached....you'll find it's not screwed to the deck BUT bolted ie a nut on the inside...in my case nylock nuts.I had to cut some of the interior away to gain access and then remove the floatation and do the job and refit the foam.I have a feeling the assembly process of the hull is such that some things get built in,making later access difficult.Your thought of drilling out still doesn't address the fitment of a new pulpit.....ie you'll still need access

Sounds like I am just spinning around in circles, I knew that there must be some reason that I am dizzy.

So as it stands now I will need to drill access holes (4) to get to the nuts or drill the heads off, both doable.

After I drilled the heads of the bolts off, I thought that I would drive the old remaining bolt down with a pin punch and try some tyoe of anchor bolt. Is there plenty room to do that

Should I decide to drill would a 1 1/2" hole be big enough, Just big enough to get a wrench in, that size hole would be easy to plug.

OK so I have plan A & B still hope to hear C,D,E, ect.

...but my proublem is that the screws that hold it to the deck will turn but not back out of the deck. What am I doing wrong? ...

After I drilled the heads of the bolts off, I thought that I would drive the old remaining bolt down with a pin punch and try some tyoe of anchor bolt.

The problem here is that if the bolt head is turning above deck, you won't be able to drill it off. Once the drill bit grabs it, it will just keep spinning unless it is held from below with a wrench or vise-grip. You might be able to hold it above deck with a needle-nose vice-grip.

I thought that he early X's had an access panel, like Duane Dunn's.



~Rich

Thank you, yes there is an axcess pannel located inside the caban right under the ancor. I have not removed it yet but I am sure that it will allow me to repair my damaged pulpit.

As a new owner i know that this form will make my sailing a safer and more fun filled.

All the railings and the stock ladders for the Macs are made by http://www.railmakers.com - they're around the corner from the Mac factory.

They have the jigs for the 26X, and made me a replacement stern rail for Bossa Nova - sorry, I don't recall the price, but it wasn't bad at all.

As for access panels - if Bossa Nova hadn't had one, I would have made one to install the hardware upgrades I've got on the bow.

Good luck
Rick

Once more thank you, I will contact railmakers and see what the cost is for a replacement pulpit. Depending on the cost I would prefer to go that away as I do care about the looks of my boat. I am sure that I can repair my damaged pulpit with the help that has been given.

Has anyone added an access panel to a later X? my 2002 does not have any up near the bow and as best as I can tell there isn't much room around the anchor locker for if you did cut one in.

My 2001X doesn't have an access panel like my 96X did, because all of the nylocks for the pulpit and cleats are visible (take a flashlight) and "reachable" on the later model without removing anything. Well, that is, if you are a non-claustrophobic, skinny contortionist. Unfortunately, I'm not. Fortunately, I have a young friend who is. But even so, it took over an hour to get a long anchor roller installed properly. Tight spot, the guy inside can't see and is fighting gravity w/the fender washers, nylocks, caulk, etc. I was outside on top. Good idea.

Ferd