Help re H-16 bow tang removal

Any tips on removing bow tang nut/bolt to install new bridle wires? Boat is an 86 model and bridle wires are in need of new ones of course. It's hard to get a full seat on nut with socket without chipping some gelcoat in order to do so. Also it's difficult to hold a bite with a common screwdriver on the bolt head.

I hope someone can give me a couple tips to make this task maybe a little easier!

Another thought, wouldn't a hex head bolt be easier to deal with in the future than a panhead screwdriver applied type?

Thanx ahead for any suggestions here.

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UK Wildcats have 8 now!

1976 H16 27640
1985 H16 89112

Try Vise Grips on the nut.

Hex heads have sharp edges. The nut does not require significant tensioning, so the slot / pan head works.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Yeah they are a bear to get off if your boat has spent any time in salt water. I had to use an impact driver (not recommended) so I replaced mine with hex bolts when I finally freed them up. I use hex bolts on the crossbar end adjusters and rudder arm slide plates too for the same reason. You just can't get enough torque with a screwdriver on a salt water seized bolt or screw. I'm not sure the edges on a hex bolt are going to be any more dangerous than anything else. Everything on the boat that I land on, am thrown against or bounce off of hurts anyway. What's one more bolt?

PB blaster?

Fixin to attack it again. Thanks for suggestions. PB is most definitely a must!

_________________
UK Wildcats have 8 now!

1976 H16 27640
1985 H16 89112

If it won't come loose, then cut the head off with a Dremel tool.

You weren't planning to re-use it after all the abuse you're giving it, were you?

I honestly believe that's the easy and smart approach. No, I wasn't intending to reuse regardless of possibly no battle damage.

Thanks Matt

_________________
UK Wildcats have 8 now!

1976 H16 27640
1985 H16 89112

Just watch the heat build-up. Wouldn't want to start a fire or anything like that.