Never having built a rc yacht, I have little or no knowledge of the way they are assembled. However, I have bought an elderly IOM that is in need of a bit of tlc. I would like to re spray the deck, a process that would be a lot easier f I could remove the deck eyes etc. Can I safely unscrew all of the deck mounted fittings, secure in the knowledge that the threads will still bite when I refit them?

David

There is no guarantee but most times you will be ok. Most materials are repairable and screws can be replaced. Screws into wood or fibreglass are most likely to fail but easily fixed. A matchstick dipped in pva glue will fill a wooden hole as will a paste made with epoxy and filler beads (from model shop) fill fibreglass.  Your local model shop will have everything and advice to go with it. Failing that ask here. 

I'd be very surprised if there are not nuts (and hopefully pads & washers) underneath the deck.  Access to these can be problematic.  Start by using a dentist's mirror on a stick to see what you are dealing with.  If you are lucky the builder may have arranged for the nuts to be captive.

50 minutes ago, John949 said:

I'd be very surprised if there are not nuts (and hopefully pads & washers) underneath the deck.  Access to these can be problematic.  Start by using a dentist's mirror on a stick to see what you are dealing with.  If you are lucky the builder may have arranged for the nuts to be captive.

Good plan, thanks. I will rig up some sort of mirror on a stick. It will give me the info I need.

Having refurbished quite a few IOM's I'd be careful of trying to remove deck eyes, most are well set in with epoxy around the nut and washer under the deck, and more likely fastened to tension bars to the keel box inside the hull. A few that I have tried to remove shear off if fastened this way.

I prefer to cover them with a piece of flexible PFTE tubing or similar, this will cover the eye head and the washer on the deck while painting. 

Pulleys usually come out easily, but you'll likely have to clean up or replace the bolts and nuts. But be prepared to replace the whole pulley if the boat has not been serviced or given any TLC for a long time.

 

That sounds quite alarming. I will proceed with caution!