Hey everyone, I have been a member for a year but I think this is my first post. I'm looking for advice on a sentimental boat I am rebuilding, and can not find much of any info on this Invader Intruder tri-hull (manufactured out of Texas). My uncle used to take me out on it in Galveston and gave it to me and I shipped it from Houston to Miami. We've taken it out many times in Biscayne Bay now, but it is time to rebuild as the transom was about to fall out!
I've removed everything inside the boat, rubrail rivets, and cut out the fiberglass connecting the splashwell to the stern. I've also cut the top cap of transom, and the hullcap is not free to remove. I opted to leave it on while I dig out as much foam, I am a little nervous after reading about hull disformation. I've moved the trailer side support bunks as close to the hull as possible, but still nervous.
I have a few questions before going further. Is the foam for this boat structural? It was wet when I removed the deck 2 weeks ago. While waiting on my respirator to arrive, it has since dried out completely. I tried to be careful removing it in blocks but it didn't work so I took a shovel to it. Is it worth it to keep any of the foam in pieces and fill the voids with it after stringer/bulkhead repair? If not, I'd add plastic bottles or nothing if the foam is not structural.
To keep from disforming the hull, what is the best way to tackle this project? Is it best to go ahead and remove the hull cap, dig out all foam, then do transom, then one stringer at a time, then deck?
Thanks for any advice!!
I've removed everything inside the boat, rubrail rivets, and cut out the fiberglass connecting the splashwell to the stern. I've also cut the top cap of transom, and the hullcap is not free to remove. I opted to leave it on while I dig out as much foam, I am a little nervous after reading about hull disformation. I've moved the trailer side support bunks as close to the hull as possible, but still nervous.
I have a few questions before going further. Is the foam for this boat structural? It was wet when I removed the deck 2 weeks ago. While waiting on my respirator to arrive, it has since dried out completely. I tried to be careful removing it in blocks but it didn't work so I took a shovel to it. Is it worth it to keep any of the foam in pieces and fill the voids with it after stringer/bulkhead repair? If not, I'd add plastic bottles or nothing if the foam is not structural.
To keep from disforming the hull, what is the best way to tackle this project? Is it best to go ahead and remove the hull cap, dig out all foam, then do transom, then one stringer at a time, then deck?
Thanks for any advice!!
