I am redoing the vinyl on my boat. I need to separate the throttle lever from the mechanism on the other side of the sideboard. This is so I can re-vinyl that part of the boat. I have a 1987 Regal 233xl. I removed four screws already. Four other very large Philips screws seem to be holding the whole thing together. Can anyone give advice?

If it is flush mounted you need to remove the throttle handle with the allen screw at the bottom of it then remove the screws and viola. You may have to cut the wires to move it clean off, but I would personally work around it when it loose if possible as it can be a nightmare to reconnect.

I can't work around itas it doesn't allow me to aline the vinyl well as there isn't much room. I don't want to cut the wires as I don't feel confident enough to reattach them. Have I got any other options?

Probably better to just cut it into the vinyl with a good knife and make a neat edge if you think you might have problems.

If you cut it at a diagonal, the blade at 45 degrees, angel it will give you a neater finish