Was down at the boat yesterday, added the new group 31 house battery and while putting dielectric grease on the cables, the tube slipped out of my fingers (22 degrees BTW). Naturally, it bounced around a bit and disappeared under the packing nuts, the very place I was talking about not being able to get to. Enough is enough. I stopped that project, got out the flashlight and started looking around for a solution that doesn't involve removing batteries, boxes or standing on my head.

There are two lockers under the Q-berth. The forward locker has an access panel cut into the side of the engine compartment which gives access to the engine oil dipstick and fuel pump. It appears to me that I could cut a second access panel into the side of the aft locker. That should allow me to get to the packing and get my tube of grease. There are a couple od issues with this plan that I think I can overcome. I would need to measure carefully so as not to cut into the exhaust hose, water muffler and throttle cable. I would also need to use something like a roto-zip to make the cut. The locker is too tight for a sabre saw. I think I can get a panel about 12" deep and maybe 14-16" wide. I figured by adding a teak backing board on either side and a finger grip, I could lock it into place like the one in the forward locker.

Any reasons NOT to do this?