13-footer: Fasteners in Seats

[boatsmith]

On my 1984 Boston Whaler 13 the console has what looks like wood covers for screw heads or dowels. I want to take it apart for refinishing. Do I drill them out? What do I replace them with?

Thanks for your help!

[Jefecinco]

Look like dowels to me.

[Jeff]

They are caps covering counter sunk screws. That was how all the whaler wood pieces where made.

I would not break your wood parts done that far to refinish. They were in place and like then when it was varnished at the factory. Just disassemble the large pieces and refinish it that way.

[jimh]

I don't know the best way to remove them, but they are, as Jeff describes above, just caps that cover the screw heads. You may be able to remove them with a small dental pic or similar instrument, but, if they've been in place for 30-years and varnished over, it might be a chore.

[Jeff]

You have to drill them out. However, if all the screws and wood are currently in good condition, there is no reason you should remove them to refinish the part.