Sail locker aft partition alteration

[Ruvel]

Hi Everyone,

I'm thinking about cutting and making the partition aft in the sail locker removable so I can have easy access to the rudder stuffing box, etc. It doesn't look like it serves any structural purpose but I'm wondering if anyone here would know better.

[jpendoley]

My partition is long gone and not missed. My rudder stuffing box is leaking a fair bit and getting in there to adjust is hard enough without the partition. Am considering reinstalling to better sound insulate the engine bay-but it would have to be removable so I can service the rudder packing.
Jim