Remove panel in v-berth on backside of steering...

[dougxn]

Hey friends, I have a malfunctioning thruster remote. I talked to the maker and they suggested repairing it with the remote unit. Sadly, the unit is behind the v-birth panel on starboard side. Ranger Tug 2015, R-27 classic.

So, I removed the screws, but I cannot figure a way to remove the panel without breaking it. The panel is fiberglass covered with Naugahyde or what ever faux leather. It is fitted very tightly and the wood comes down a fair distance to make it, from my twisting/bending/etc :x , near impossible to slide out.... It seems like there is a fair chance to break the fiberglass if bent too much!

Any thoughts would be mutely appreciated.

Thanks - dn
On the water someplace near Olympia, Wa

 

[Gin]

I don't have my R27 classic anymore, but when I did, I removed that panel several times. The Portside panel wasn't so bad (nor was there much reason to remove it). But the starboard -- it was a bear. A challenging exercise to wrestle it from a very tight fit.

I've tried to think back on what helped . . . eventually I discovered a couple of steps to take that made it easier. I think it was helpful to remove the back "bolster" that lines the wall just above the mattress. You can do that by pushing up on it to pop it off some brackets (its easier to get off than back on). And I probably pulled the mattress back and away. There may have been another trick or two that helped, but I'm not remembering them now. Someone else may have a good technique to offer.

Good luck!

Gini

 

[ALICE J]

The panel is actually two pieces with the vinyl acting as a hinge. If you can place a thin hook in the middle and pull the hook toward you it will shrink the panel so you can pass it by the wood trim piece. An automotive parts store may have plastic tools that will remove trim pieces on automobiles you might find something that would work on removing the panel. There should be enough room at the top of the pile in the middle to insert like a crowbar plastic of course that will pull the The center part of the two-piece panel towards you allowing the outboard edges to contract. Additional plastic crowbar can be put along the vertical edge to slide the panel past the protruding wooden trim. After removal I attached two pieces of webbing stapled onto the PVC board so the next time I’ll have something to pull the center. The upper pull should be very small with a small loop so you can put your finger into that loop; the bottom one can just be a 4/5 inch strap because that will be covered with a mattress

 

[Gin]

Interesting info, Alice J. When the panel was off mine, it was a solid one-piece. A hinging panel would have been great. Either there was something so stiff about mine that the hinge wasn't hinging, or perhaps the factory changed the design after that? Good info for others, though.

Gini

 

[dougxn]

Okay, I snapped the panel :sad I will now make a hinge :err I think it was placed in it’s current location prior to the wood trim being put in place. I cannot think how it would have been placed otherwise. The Naugahyde/faux leather seems to hide the newly developed hinge :laugh, so I think I can live with the results. And, if I need to get back into this area again, it will be much easier.

Thanks for all the good help and suggestions! I really appreciate this groups support and help.

Dn