I would think the hole had just been over tightened and stripped out. You could remove the panel and epoxy a strip of wood below the lip where the panel fits and use a longer screw that is able to get some bite.
__________________
1985 Wellcraft V-20, Evinrude ETEC 150: SOLD
1979 Marine Trader 44, twin Ford Lehman 120s
2006 Panga 14, Tohatsu 20
|