Mark, I have refinished my toe rails and did it by removing them from the boat. When you have a bolt that turns when you try to take the nut off, try gently prying up on the rail to hold the bolt from turning. Also, make sure the bolt threads are clean so the nuts can turn. I successfully removed all nuts using this method. Mark the problem bolts and after refinishing, put them back on again using prying pressure to keep them from turning. The rails kept their shape while off of the boat. I am not sure I understand where the transom plate is you are talking about, but if it is not a problem, leave it alone. (Aint broke, don't fix it, works for me) Bob 1982 M15 #208 SF area Mark Delin wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I'd like to refinish the toe rail and other brightwork on my M-15 in Cetol and have started on taking off the toe rails. When I try to unscrew the nut on the underside of the deck-hull joint that the toe rail is bolted to, I find that I have a couple of bolts that seem to be turning inside their holes, which is nicely covered up with a wooden dowel on top, make them inaccessable. Any suggestions? Also, I am wondering does the toe rail want to straighten out once its unbolted, making re-installation a chore? Finally, I have a wooden plate screwed or bolted into the back of the transom just under where the traveler would be if I had one. Does anyone know what its for? If I take it off, will I lose the bolts behind it in some irretrievable spot deep down inside the transom?

Thanks for any assistance!

Mark Delin M-15 Seabright, San Diego _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats