need some ideas on my issue

[matrass]

Hello and good afternoon everybody.

Looking for some advice on how to get to some tough to get to bolts on my boat.

The bolts hold the trolling motor down and are located very close to the bow.

There were some rubber isolators that expand into the holes but they keep needing to be replaced.

I have access through the bow panel but cannot reach all the way to the front bolts to get the fender washers and nylon nuts on the bolts.

Tried super gluing the washer to the nylon nut and taping them into a box end 7/16 wrench .

My wrenches end up being too short and there is only maybe 2-3 inches of clearance top to bottom .

Tried extending the wrenches I have and lost feeling control to get the nut started .

Thinking of getting a longer wrench with less angle on the box side to help me get to the bolts .


Maybe something like the one from Amazon listed below but not sure about the head if the angles change easy , what are your thoughts ?


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F512F4W/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1



Thanks

 

[Kira]

When it comes to reach and confinement you're the man on the job and a long wrench (that you linked to) will probably do it if YOU feel it so.

I hope a boat person will chime in with some experience or knowledge. Perhaps he has assembled the tool combo you can use.

 

[matrass]

thanks for your thoughts on my plan. the tight area does not leave too many options.

 

[maxdustington]

Originally Posted By: matrass
thanks for your thoughts on my plan. the tight area does not leave too many options.

You should consider replacing the bolts with studs or finding a more durable mount.

 

[Fitter30]

slide a piece of flatten end metal pipe or electrical condent over the end of wrench for the extention. leave bolt out and with a long screwdriver stab the nut then try the bolt. tape wrench to pipe and nut to wrench.

 

[123Saab]

Can you put in a deck plate for easier access?

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B076...pf_rd_i=3397581

 

[Snagglefoot]

I think I might understand your dilemma. I installed a new boat ladder and bolted it to a horizontal surface at the back of the boat. There was about a half inch space below the panel and I couldn’t get my hand in there so I taped a washer to a nut with green painters tape and then used this extra long set of vice grips to position the nut. The vice grips are actually a hose pinching tool for rad hoses sold by NAPA. I could barely see the end of the bolt and had to do it with “relative guessing” and feel.

 

[4WD]

Originally Posted By: matrass
Hello and good afternoon everybody.

Looking for some advice on how to get to some tough to get to bolts on my boat.

The bolts hold the trolling motor down and are located very close to the bow.

There were some rubber isolators that expand into the holes but they keep needing to be replaced.

I have access through the bow panel but cannot reach all the way to the front bolts to get the fender washers and nylon nuts on the bolts.

Tried super gluing the washer to the nylon nut and taping them into a box end 7/16 wrench .

My wrenches end up being too short and there is only maybe 2-3 inches of clearance top to bottom .

Tried extending the wrenches I have and lost feeling control to get the nut started .

Thinking of getting a longer wrench with less angle on the box side to help me get to the bolts .


Maybe something like the one from Amazon listed below but not sure about the head if the angles change easy , what are your thoughts ?


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F512F4W/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1



Thanks


Had that before … you need lightness and a feel for position … I glued nut to a paint stick … got them started … then wrench

 

[matrass]

thanks for the ideas so far everybody, couple more to give a shot and see what happens.

my last resort was cutting the hold in for an access plate, really hoping to avoid doing that .

Also was thinking an inspection camera may be of use for viewing underneath.

Going to replace the trolling motor mount with a new one , really want to to be more secure without depending on the Motorguide isolators.

The isolators do wear out , come loose and now there are 6 holes in the bow so I cut off most of the bottom portion and insert bolts through

the hole in the isolator and add a fender washer and nut on the underside to lock it down.


https://www.amazon.com/Motorguide-MGA015PB6-Mounting-Isolator-Kit/dp/B07C2YFFL6


Looking through the hole from the top I can line up the washer and bolt but once you slide the top rubber part in you lose sight of it and hope it does not move.

Try to slow work the bolt down into the nut , that is when they do not line up or will not start threading .