www.iFourWinns.com

Long story--but one of the dock hands at my marina badly bent the popout cleat that is right behind the gear shift on the starboard side (of course--the most difficult one to get to). The marina has offered to pay for the damage--but I am trying to figure out how to get to the bolts on the back of the cleat. Short of removing the gear shift and the interior panel--not sure what my options are? Can anyone provide some guidance on how you remove the padded vinyl interior panels? How are they attached? Thanks!

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

I would say, just have the marina pay for the damages and also have them replace it. Let them remove all the items to get it on. I can't believe it bent. How did they manage to bend it ? I believe there should be some screws that are on the corner , if not then feel up under where your side compartment is and feel for nuts on the bolts.

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1997 Horizon RS 180
5.7 GL Volvo Penta /SX drive. (1.60)
2018 Ford F-150 super crew 4x4

We keep our boat on a lift. Came in for the evening and the electricity was out for the entire dock--so the electric lift would not work. Dock hand tells me electrician is on the way and that he will lift all boats that are down once it is fixed. I told him he would need to loosen all the ropes before he lifts the boat as I had it tied up tight so the boat would not hit the sides of the slip. He said no problem--he understood. Needless to say--he didn't loosen at least the one rope and the pressure from the lift bent the cleat. It could have been much worse--like fiberglass damage. They are being cool about it--it is just a pain in the ass for me to make arrangements to get it fixed and give them the bill. Like I said--it had to be the one cleat that is impossible to get to easily! Ugg!

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

I think they have threaded studs protruding from the backs of the pads, which extend through holes in the fiberglass and a big fender washer & nut on the back side to hold it on.

Maybe remove the sink? Yeesh.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Always appreciate your input Mike! Already took the "trash can" out and the cleat is still really far away. Can't see that working. I have tighten the nuts on some of the other cleats--so it is fairly straight forward--if you can get to the darn thing.

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

OK, my boat's several hours away. I thought it was farther back. Do you have a factory subwoofer, or a deck plate below the throttle?

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Yes--that is one option I was thinking about. There is an access plate under the throttle (that I actually ended up mounting an extra cockpit speaker there). It would be a tough reach and lots of fixing with feel instead of sight--but I might try it.

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

I think that's going to be your only choice. If it were me, I'd let a mechanic do it and give your guy the bill...

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I think that is the direction I am heading!

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

When I was running wires for my new stereo I had the plastic panel off that is right be hind the helm, from inside that storage compartment (where the amp mounts). Was just a couple of screws. With that off I was able to see down the gunnels pretty well and could see the back of the controls. Now I'm not sure how far the cleat is, but I was able crawl inside of the storage compartment to look around. If you can fit you may be able to get a hand far enough, but I can't say for sure. Would not be fun if you don't like tight places

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2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon
2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I saw that too Mike. I don't know about you, but I'm afraid the fire department would have to tear my boat apart to get me back out.

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Current Boats:
2012 FW H260, 8.2 B3X (DTS) "Ctrl-Alt-Delete"
Previous Boats:
1984 Century 5000, Merc 260 Alpha 1
2012 Yamaha VXR

Kansas City, MO

haha, It's not like my whole body was in there, but I was able to get my upper body in. It was a tight fit for sure and I'm a thin guy.

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2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon
2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4