[sluggo]

I have a 2006 Sovran 3600, according to the book, you should be able to pull the entire helm compartment forward so you can get behind it to work on things, like the electronics etc.

The book showed 2 grab handles, I see it hinged on the bottom, the book mentions friction latches.  so I put my hands into the grab handles, and pulled.... nothing.  it seems I need to pry from the back (forward on the boat) of the compartment.  I did not want to do this as I was afraid to breaking the fiberglass.

Any ideas??  Do I just pull harder??  TIA.

[ReelMagic]

I own a 2003, 38 Open and there are two friction hold downs that make opening the console quite hard...... I use the 2 throttles (pulled all the way back) and the 2 shift levers (placed in reverse) to open. My experience is that you need to really exert a lot of pull/force..... Once open I put a light coat of Vaseline and it now opens much easier...... This was discussed on another thread a month or so ago. M2C

[sluggo]

I own a 2003, 38 Open and there are two friction hold downs that make opening the console quite hard...... I use the 2 throttles (pulled all the way back) and the 2 shift levers (placed in reverse) to open. My experience is that you need to really exert a lot of pull/force..... Once open I put a light coat of Vaseline and it now opens much easier...... This was discussed on another thread a month or so ago. M2C

thanks!! is there a link to the other thread?  or what to search under??  I don't understand the, 'I use the 2 throttles....'  do you mean you hold on to them and pull??  TIA

[ReelMagic]

Can't remember the other thread....... I have 2 throttles on the right side of my steering station console and 2 shift levers on the left side of the console that makes it easy to pull evenly on the entire console when trying to open..... Sounds like you have single lever engine controls (shift/throttle is combined into 1 lever for each engine)..... Need to pull evenly when trying to open. Not sure what you have to pull on but it takes a lot of force to open.

[sluggo]

I own a 2003, 38 Open and there are two friction hold downs that make opening the console quite hard...... I use the 2 throttles (pulled all the way back) and the 2 shift levers (placed in reverse) to open. My experience is that you need to really exert a lot of pull/force..... Once open I put a light coat of Vaseline and it now opens much easier...... This was discussed on another thread a month or so ago. M2C

thanks!! is there a link to the other thread?  or what to search under??  I don't understand the, 'I use the 2 throttles....'  do you mean you hold on to them and pull??  TIA

[ReelMagic]

I own a 2003, 38 Open and there are two friction hold downs that make opening the console quite hard...... I use the 2 throttles (pulled all the way back) and the 2 shift levers (placed in reverse) to open. My experience is that you need to really exert a lot of pull/force..... Once open I put a light coat of Vaseline and it now opens much easier...... This was discussed on another thread a month or so ago. M2C

thanks!! is there a link to the other thread?  or what to search under??  I don't understand the, 'I use the 2 throttles....'  do you mean you hold on to them and pull??  TIA

search for "helm console" under "general maintenance

[Uhehner]

Do NOT pull on the steering wheel. You may damage the seals.  Use the throttle and shift levers.
Capt. George

[ReelMagic]

Absolutely agree w/Capt. George..... Do not pull or use the steering wheel to open console.........

[trit21]

I wouldn't use the actual throttle and shift handles as I would not want to damage them either. Use the base of the controls and pull back swiftly, this should release the friction holds under the helm and allow it to hinge back. 

[ReelMagic]

Use of the throttles (in idle position) and shifts (in reverse position) are OK based on inputs from Tiara and my dealer.. Been doing it this way without any damage for many years. As mentioned above do NOT use the steering wheel as it places an undue strain on the shaft/bearings......