"Mister Grumpy" wrote in message

In the cockpit sole on my sailboat is an aluminum cover over the
rudderpost, where the emergency tiller is attached when needed.


Glad this isn't a real emergency....


You mentioned maybe drilling a hole in it. Seems to me that maybe
that is the thing to do. Then once it's out maybe you can install some
type of handle on there so that if you ever DO need access in an
emergency you'll be better off.