Removing damaged screw on bow handle

Hi all, any tips on removing a philips screw whose head is stripped out? I looked at a few youtube vids, but decided to post here as well as I'm trying to minimize risk to the fiberglass (such as drilling holes in it by accident).
Thanks

stollie said:

Hi all, any tips on removing a philips screw whose head is stripped out?

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Harbor Freight sells a drill bit kit that is "left-handed"; meaning, that you put your drill in reverse to drill a hole. This comes in handy with a stripped-out screw head, as the direction of the left-handed drill bit will eventually catch, and back the screw out. Start with any tiny bit to start, then use the left-hander to back it out. This is also handy when trying to remove the brass drain plug in the starboard deck. A hole would permit WD-40 to access the inside surfaces of the drain plug threads, perhaps resulting in "a save" of the existing plug and drain.

If it is the new rolled edge boat you may have a metal backer plate, so dribble some WD40 or PB Blaster around the screw to start. I assume the bow handle is still attached. Get a 1/4 inch bit and drill just the head off of the screw. Go slow. You might gouge the bow handle and need a new one, but avoid drilling into the deck. Remove the bow handle. Then remove the screw shaft by grabbing it with vise grips and backing it out.

Also look at a hand held impact driver. You hit it from the top and it can sometimes make a new screw head big enough to grip. I also have been able to loosen partially stripped screws using a phillips and tapping it with a hammer while applying a lot of down force to the screwdriver while twisting it. Maybe you can get it backed out enough to grab the head with the vise grips.

Thanks fellas.

Having looked at a vid of left-handed bit that reverse-threads the stripped screw, I'm leaning in that direction (link below).

BTW, the bow handle and some of the screws were basically eaten away by those blisterin' barnacles, so they're being replaced.

If the bow handle is starting to fall apart then I would chisel around the screw with a screw driver being careful not to damage the deck so you can grip the screw head with a vise grip and remove it that way.

Replace the screws one at a time, as the backing plate can fall away. One of my saltwater Sunfish had an "intact-looking" bow handle, that didn't stand up long to actual use. Consider replacing it—preferably with one made of stainless steel or brass, and not zinc.