E 30+ remove companionway steps/engine box

tilwinter

Member III
As my cabin sole replacement project forges on, I have hit a stumbling block.

The E-30+ early models had an engine box in the companionway with removable stairs functioning as the access to the engine compartment. (In later years, as best I can determine from pictures on Yachtworld, a different arrangement was used, with the steps completely separate from the engine box).

Part of the engine box laps over the cabin sole, and must be removed in order to replace the sole. By the way, the original brochure makes a big deal about how this box was designed to be removable, to enhance removal of the diesel.

I have been working on the sole from forward to aft, but I am at a point where the engine box must be removed in order to remove the last two pieces of the sole, and cut my templates.

I never thought removing the engine box would be a hardship, but over the course of this project, I have been removing more and more wood screws from time to time (some covered by bungs). I am now up to 18 screws, and the box STILL is firmly set in place. WTF?

Any of you early year 30+ owners have any experience you can share with me?
 
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