Mac 26S new owner stantion repair

[macbilly]

Hey fellow Mac owners.
New Mac 26S owner, too many boats owned so far, first sailboat, (have a lot of sailing exp on an Evelyn 26, only five made of that model!)
The port side aft stantion bolts needed to be tightened, and during the process i discovered the reason for the looseness.
Only two of the fours bolts had nuts!??!
And I also noted that the access holes from inside the boat don't line up at all. I'm talking about not even close!
Is there a trick to getting a new nut up in the access hole, moving it to one side, and then getting the nut started without cross-threading the darn thing?
Or is there some hack that will make the process not a PITA?

Looks like there is a lot of valuable info here.
I appreciate the input of experienced owners.

Thanks for your time.

[Stevenhigbee]

Maybe take the bolt out from the outside and drill a pilot hole from the outside, then use the pilot hole to drill a new access hole from the inside. The access-hole covers are a stock item.

[Tomfoolery]

Is there a trick to getting a new nut up in the access hole, moving it to one side, and then getting the nut started without cross-threading the darn thing?
Or is there some hack that will make the process not a PITA?

Piece of Scotch Tape on the end of a box wrench, with the nut sitting in the pocket, stuck to the tape, and someone above decks turning the screw. Or taped into the end of the open end part, if the box angle doesn't work for you.

[macbilly]

Thanks for your response.
If this post looks weird it's because it's my first response and this is a little new.
Yes the plugs are a stock item. Got that.
I'm a fuddy duddy.
Still trying to figure a way to do the impossible.
Thanks again.

[Jimmyt]

As Stephenhigbee says, there are a variety of access plugs available if you can't make a version of Tomfoolery's trick work. They are cheap (especially compared to the time you've already spent trying to work around it). There are several spots on my boat where it looks like the factory put something on deck before they put the deck on the liner and hull... You may have to drill some access holes, or even a hand hole, to make some repairs. You will not be the first.

http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/a503-1v0.htm

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... ecordNum=1

You can do as Tom suggests, if you have enough hole to get in there. I have used a ratchet, extension, and universal joint, with electrical tape on the universal to keep it from flopping around, when I had access that a box or end wrench wouldn't reach. I have a vague recollection of using a drop or two of silicone gasket goop to stick a nut in a socket to get to a virtually inaccessible spot before.

If you can take a picture of what you're working on, it might help generate better responses.

Fuddy Duddy is one of the native languages in this forum..

Sometimes it's only impossible because you haven't done it before.

Hang in there.

[Tomfoolery]

Fuddy Duddy is one of the native languages in this forum..

Hey, I'm fluent. 23 skidoo! I'm off to put some Benny Goodman on the Hi-Fi. Mother, where's my Aleve?

(Ok, so I'm mixing two or three eras together. What do you want? I'm a fuddy duddy!)

[Jimmyt]

Fuddy Duddy is one of the native languages in this forum..

Hey, I'm fluent. 23 skidoo! I'm off to put some Benny Goodman on the Hi-Fi. Mother, where's my Aleve?

(Ok, so I'm mixing two or three eras together. What do you want? I'm a fuddy duddy!)

[macbilly]

Thanks for all the suggestions.
I am quite a bit foolish when it comes to trying to things the "right" way.
So much so that many times it will take a LOT longer to figure out how than to actually do.
In the spirit of these pages I offer this:
GE Silicone caulk.
Ever use a whole tube on the day you open the tube?
No, me either.
Trick from years ago.
Put the tube in the freezer, if the Last Mate allows.
It says ON THE TUBE that the product won't cure below freezing.
Take the tube out of the freezer, allow it to come to room temp, push out the contents of the spout, and off you go.
When done, put it back in the freezer.
Thanx again for all the tips.

[Jimmyt]

Right there with you. But, the Admiral doesn't allow shop supplies past the basement door. I'll have to try your trick in the shop freezer.