Unscrewing stern A shaped pulpit?

[richter372001]

Hi
How are these A shaped "pulpits" attached to the hull, i.e., hiw do I unscrew one? The top has separated from the circle at the bottom, and it needs to be welded...
Thanks in advance!

[leefrankpierce]

There is an inside shell, and an outside shell.
Usually the inside shell has a plug covering an access hole, then it is just a nut/washer.
Some times it is a wood screw into the fiberglass.
Have not tried to take mine off so not 100% sure.
I would try and turn them. If they turn without moving out (like a wood screw) I would presume you need someone under with a socket on the nut.

[richter372001]

Thank you!
I was hoping that someone has had the actual experience of removing the pulpit, so I do not have to dig around in the nether regions.... : )
Regards
Serg

[leefrankpierce]

I have cut away the interior shell above the V-birth so I could actually use that space.
Notice the bolts in the upper left of the pict holding my front pulpit on.

[Stickinthemud57]

Hi
How are these A shaped "pulpits" attached to the hull, i.e., hiw do I unscrew one? The top has separated from the circle at the bottom, and it needs to be welded...
Thanks in advance!

When removing the rear pulpit from my 26S, I found that the attachments were bolts with nuts on the underside. Truly a pain to get to. Hopefully, once you have the nuts immobilized on the underside, you will be able to unscrew the bolts from the top. My approach was to clamp the nuts in a pair of vice grips while undoing the bolts. It was a cuss-fest, with some of them stripping out requiring me to cut them loose with a sawz-all. This could only be done after backing them out far enough. You may have to resort to drilling or grinding the heads of the bolts off. Fortunately, you do not have to worry about damaging the flange (at least on the broken side).

Best of luck!

[richter372001]

F....
How does one even get to that freaking spot?? It is high and narrow!?

[Stickinthemud57]

Indeed it is. Maybe the easiest way would be with a long socket extension and a helper underneath.

I realize now that damaging the flange could be a problem since I assume you plan to re-install after repair. Even if you could find a way to grind the heads of the bolts off cleanly, you would still be faced with the challenge of holding the nuts in place while bolting everything back together.

In my case I did not reinstall my pulpit, so once I got everything loose it was just a matter of filling holes.

Wish I could offer more encouraging advice.

[richter372001]

Thank you!

[richter372001]

Checked it: I see absolutely no access from below. Has any member unscrewed the stern pulpit? Ever?

[leefrankpierce]

I am wondering if they are wood screw threads so have no nuts under.
The heads do not look too good, but you might see if you can turn them.
Worst case you would drill/grind them off, remove the plate, and then see what you are dealing with.
It is possible you can move the mount, or rotate the plate some to get away from the old screws/hols and go back with large stainless wood screws into fresh glass.

[Dougiestyle]

Maybe a hole saw big enough to get a wrench in? Then use the piece you cut out and glass it back in. This is how I did the the cleat in that area. Some people put in a inspection port. Im not too sure of the geometry on what you are doing but just a thought.

[Russ]

I bought a new helm seat hinge from BWY. I didn't think about how to access those nuts on the inside.
The hinge came with a liner hole plug. I assume Todd has figured the only way to access these bolts is to cut a hole and then plug it.

(I haven't installed it yet).

https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/a507-1m0.htm

[richter372001]

Damn, I thought there would be an easier way to do this.

It seems I will have to take the plunge and (try to) unscrew the screws, as there is no other way to weld the two parts back together.
I was told welding these stainless steel pieces would generate the heat that would melt the GRP.
I will probably have to source one of those hammer/screwdriver things that would get the screws moving, then deal with what I find.
That attachment point does come under stress, so I do not want to improvise anything that would weaken it.

Thank you for the tips!

p.s. contacted BWY via Facebook for advice on the removal. No answer.

[Russ]

p.s. contacted BWY via Facebook for advice on the removal. No answer.

Good idea.

Best email addy is "accessories (at) bwyachts.com"

Todd generally answers that one. However, rumor has it they are trying to do more cruising.

[richter372001]

Thanks, Russ!