Removing Panel on Drivers Side?

[Murphy8166]

I am wanting to remove the panel on the Drivers Side of the boat where the throttle, circuit breaker panel and cubby hole are located.

How does the piece come out?

[wdr]

Murphy, atleast on my '10 which they should be the same, IIRC there were 3x bolts with washers and nuts holding the panel on. There is one both on the fore & aft ends and one in the center near the throttle assembly. The bottom of the panel rests against the cup holder/cubby piece attached to the floor. If you pull the cup holders out you can get to the 2 screws that hold that piece to the deck if you need to pull it out. You have to rotate the seat to get the cubby thingy out, but it was easy otherwise. I didn't pull my throttle from the panel as I didn't need to for what I needed to do. If you have to pull the throttle assy it was a 3 bolt no brainer as I recall. If you find any nuts/washer that don't belong on the back of the panel they most likely go to the windshield base where it attaches to the upper deck. Look straight up behind the panel with a flashlight to locate the lonely bolts. Good luck, Bill.

[Murphys]

I own a 2004 VLX and recently removed the panel in question in order to access the stereo wiring. I assume mine is different than the 2011 model, so this information may not apply. The 2004 panel is held on by two or three phillips head screws on the lower edge, and the primary fasteners are three bolts with 7/16 inch nuts which must be accessed from the back side of the panel (and two are quite difficult to reach). I removed my driver's seat from the boat to provide easier access to the panel. Like WDR I did not remove the Morse control assembly from the panel.

I find a mirror and my cell phone camera very useful tools in determining how the trim panels are secured.

Edited November 16, 2012 by Murphys

[wdr]

Murphy, you should be able to go in through the panel cubby hole/shelf (drivers elbow area) and reach around to access the nuts.

[inkedrose]

I'm getting ready to pull mine on an 06 V-ride (should be same as an 04 VLX). Does anyone know where to get a replacement panel?

[smileysteve]

The Vride in 06 has a vinyl panel (with abs? Backing) the bottom is mounted with screws to a piece of seaboard just below the deck seam.

I have been able to reenforces mine (where the vinyl tore and abs backing cracked) by using soft plastic to sandwich the vinyl and support the piece into the seaboard.