Fuel tank floor panel removal

[R&T Babich]

I can't figure out what to undo to remove the fuel tank floor panel on our 2000 21V. There must be some screws or bolts somewhere that hold it in, but I can't see or feel any under the end of the panel. It's not critical at this time, but as I was tightening all the hose clamps getting ready for our first trip this year I found the fuel line clamps are pointed forward under the panel. The only way to loosen or tighten the clamps is to lift the panel. One would think they would have positioned them properly at the factory. So does anyone know how that panel comes out? Thanks

[whitlock87]

On my boat you have to remove the back seat. (Cushion and center of the bench)
Now you will see two bolts that are holding down the floor. After undoing the two bolts (there are nuts and washers under the plate) pick up the rear end and slide out (small feet hold the front in)
This is how it is done on my switch-V

[xpjim1]

That is how it was done on my 24V also

[scoot18]

How about on the newer Ve's 22 & 24. I have tried to do this just so I will know how, when and if the time comes to check hose clamps, access dropped tools, service clean ballast pumps etc. There is a thin strip of nylon that is covered in carpet that screws to the front of the seat box at floor level, remove that and then there are 3 screws that go through the center of seat box at floor level. Then there are what appear to be two bolts in the lower rear corners towards the engine & side storage lockers at floor level. Can barley contourt enough to get a cordless drill on screw head, (do this thru the under seat storage, port or starboard side) but the nut on the other side spins, this nut is completely in-accessable, by removing the engine bay covers in the storage lockers I can see them, but I have no idea how I would ever reach them. Any ideas? Anyone ever done this them selves before? And if so, do you put those lower bolts back in once they are out? Man what a pain! I was going to start a thread asking this question and then I found this one which I could just add to.

[22veguy]

On the 22Ve you can get at the two fasteners Scott18 mentions by removing the table mount. (Assuming you have the table) Then you can reach your arm in thru the hole while 2nd person tightens bolt. Really poor design by Tige for the whole cover removal. (Tige, please consider NUTPLATES)
Rant over.........

[scoot18]

Then you can reach your arm in thru the hole while 2nd person tightens bolt. Really poor design by Tige for the whole cover removal. (Tige, please consider NUTPLATES)

"You have done this?" "Successfully?" I was completely unable to reach them through the table mount access hole. If I had go-go- gadget arms maybe, but with the size of my arms there is no way, and way too short. I did manage to cut the S*%# out of my forearms from the screws that secure the table mount bezel. I even had my son try, his arms are a little longer and a bit smaller in diameter, he still could not reach them. "This venture all began because two screw drivers were dropped down into the bildge area just under the transmission, we were trying to find a way to retrieve them. What a battle, but we finally got to them. If I ever am successful at getting them out, I don't believe I will put them back. I will find something else to improvise. Probalby a long plastic center expanding push pin retainer.

[chpthril]

Then you can reach your arm in thru the hole while 2nd person tightens bolt. Really poor design by Tige for the whole cover removal. (Tige, please consider NUTPLATES)

"You have done this?" "Successfully?" I was completely unable to reach them through the table mount access hole. If I had go-go- gadget arms maybe, but with the size of my arms there is no way, and way too short. I did manage to cut the S*%# out of my forearms from the screws that secure the table mount bezel. I even had my son try, his arms are a little longer and a bit smaller in diameter, he still could not reach them. "This venture all began because two screw drivers were dropped down into the bildge area just under the transmission, we were trying to find a way to retrieve them. What a battle, but we finally got to them. If I ever am successful at getting them out, I don't believe I will put them back. I will find something else to improvise. Probalby a long plastic center expanding push pin retainer.

With the time and trouble fighting to get these bolts out, I think you could just remove the back bench seat.

[scoot18]

With the time and trouble fighting to get these bolts out, I think you could just remove the back bench seat.

By time and trouble you mean PERSISTANCE, I just need to keep trying until I get them out, and then get the back seat out. Put the seat back in and when I am done, and don't put the bolts back?

My whole goal was to get that center seat box out so I could access the bildge area better, I was doing somewhat ok until those unreachable bolts stopped me in my tracks. Finally had to tell myself, "screw this."

[22veguy]

Something must be different or were talking 2 different things. It is an easy reach, with just my forearm thru the hole I can reach either side fastener. I know because I just tried it to make sure I wasn't crazy. Maybe they located your 2 side bolts futher down or something. Maybe we have different tables? My access hole is about the size of a CD when table mount is removed.
Just re-read your post. Sounds like yours are just much lower than mine since you mention "lower rear coner/floor level" Bummer. Get them out somehow and install nutplates. That's what I'm doing next time.

[scoot18]

Something must be different or were talking 2 different things. It is an easy reach, with just my forearm thru the hole I can reach either side fastener. I know because I just tried it to make sure I wasn't crazy. Maybe they located your 2 side bolts futher down or something. Maybe we have different tables? My access hole is about the size of a CD when table mount is removed.
Just re-read your post. Sounds like yours are just much lower than mine since you mention "lower rear coner/floor level" Bummer. Get them out somehow and install nutplates. That's what I'm doing next time.

To put it in perspective, the bolts on mine would be down as low as you could go, and as far back as you could go towards the engine, the lowest and farthest point back possible. It is quite a contourting act throught the starboard or port side under seat opening to get on screw head, you get it turning and the nut on the inside (the one in question) just spins with the bolt with now possible way to have one hand turning and the other one holding! Dynamite is starting to appeal as a good option..............

[dogbert]

I've got a 1999 21v. There are 6 screws somewhere in your carpet. You'll need to feel for them. Mine actually rusted out so I just removed them and never put them back. I have to remove the back seat to pull up the floor anyway.

[scoot18]

Success, I have licked it. I found a way to get to the nuts on the other side. "I just wasn't holding my jawbone right." I thought about it a little bit looked at the seat box and tried to eye ball with my x-ray vision just about where those nuts would be if I reached through the engine bay opening and down past the tranny. Guess what, got my fingers on them, and took them off. I am home free now! I cant see them, but I can feel them, and able to get them off. So now that I know I can get to them it won't be such a big deal. Maybe I will decide to keep them in after all. If it was much farther I wouldn't be able to reach them. But success at last. " I love getting to know a new boat!"

Now regarding the floor section, they have screws in that section as well? Do they go straight down, one in each corner and another on each side about half the length?

[chpthril]

Success, I have licked it. I found a way to get to the nuts on the other side. "I just wasn't holding my jawbone right." I thought about it a little bit looked at the seat box and tried to eye ball with my x-ray vision just about where those nuts would be if I reached through the engine bay opening and down past the tranny. Guess what, got my fingers on them, and took them off. I am home free now! I cant see them, but I can feel them, and able to get them off. So now that I know I can get to them it won't be such a big deal. Maybe I will decide to keep them in after all. If it was much farther I wouldn't be able to reach them. But success at last. " I love getting to know a new boat!"

Now regarding the floor section, they have screws in that section as well? Do they go straight down, one in each corner and another on each side about half the length?

Good to hear, Scoot. I guess I misread one of the earlier post and thought you were trying to get the floor out without removing the seat box so my post didn't make much sense then, my bad.

Post some pics for us, will be doing my ballast soon and will be pulling up my floor.

[scoot18]

Good to hear, Scoot. I guess I misread one of the earlier post and thought you were trying to get the floor out without removing the seat box so my post didn't make much sense then, my bad.

Post some pics for us, will be doing my ballast soon and will be pulling up my floor.

Thats quite alright, all of the input and feedback helped a lot. I will try to get some pics. Now that I know I can get 'R' done I can't say that I will rush right out and do it. But I have gained a good amount of experience in a short time and probably answer some questions.

Thanks again...............

[R&T Babich]

I still have not figured out how the fuel tank floor panel comes out of our 2000 21V. I've searched along the edges for screws and looked underneath with a mirror. Here's a picture of the rear of the panel. The rear seat bottom has been removed and the seat back is pivoted up on it's hinge and is propped up with a board. The small block of carpeted wood seems to be screwed to the floor panel and is there for the screws that secure the seat bottom to have something to screw into. The seams of the fuel tank panel are not real clear in the pic, they are about 3" from the edge of the corner seats. The fuel tank floor panel is a little bit wider that the block. There must be some screws along the edges of the panel, but I don't know for sure. I spent 20 minutes combing thru the carpet and didn't find anything.
Dogbert - what kind of screws were yours? How far from the edges were they? To hit the stringers they would need to be near the edges. Were the screws the same rust prone black drywall screws I've found in other panels? I've been replacing all the cheap drywall screws with beige coated deck screws from Home Depot.