1984 Dixie Malibu Tri-hull Rebuild

[gm280]

I'm presently rebuilding a tri-hull boat myself and I already have the entire hull cleaned out and grinded waiting to start the rebuild...after Christmas is over! So I'm going to be watching your progress if you don't mind. My boat seem very close in size to your as well. Great project!

 

[boat spider]

I cut a hole in my forward deck today, the v-channel runs all the way to the bow. Also, my boat is constructed slightly different than yours. Where you found the foam in the rear gunwale, my boat has different structure, there are 3 levels vs. the 2 in yours.

P.S. - I don't know anything about fiberglass repair so don't expect me to weigh in with advice or comments on that side!

 

[Woodonglass]

So, it looks like the only wood in this boat is the transom and a strip up the center covering the V in the hull. The sides have foam from top to bottom. I cut away part of the kickpanel in the back to confirm this. There is some wet foam at the bottom of the kick panel. Is it essential to cut out the kickpanel on both sides to get to the wet foam to remove it? It's not more than an inch or two of wet foam along the bottom of the 1.5 ft. long kick panel. I'd like to leave it so I don't have to rebuild the kickpanels. Doesn't seem like that work is justified by that small amount of wet foam.

If I repair the kickpanel as it is, I plan to install the transom, fill any large voids with Tyvek insulated foamboard pieces, PB over that, and then 1708. What's the largest gap advisable to fill with PB?

1.) No If it's only that much I wouldn't worry about it.

2.) 3/4" to 1" gaps are about the biggest I'd recommend filling with PB.