71 Thunderbird tri-hull bowrider wet foam and deck

[scootyfish]

I took the plundge today and cut large sections of the deck out to find totally saturated foam and an aluminum gas tank in the center of the boat between the stringers. Is there an easy way to get all this foam out or do I just hack at it until I get it all out. JasonJ, I saw your pics, your boat is identical. Did you have an aluminum tank like mine? If so, how did you remove it to get to the stringers? No pics yet, but I'll soon have a camera and can give you guys the play by play. I think I'll name my boat "Time & Money", for obvious reasons.

 

[cpasseno03]

Re: 71 Thunderbird tri-hull bowrider wet foam and deck

Just curious about your boat, I had an old Thunderbird tri hull myself. But I bet it was smaller, 15 foot. It had lines like a shoebox and didnt last long, But I had my fun with it. How big is yours?<br />Craig

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 71 Thunderbird tri-hull bowrider wet foam and deck

Scooty, I used an old steel carpenters square, and pushed into the foam, cutting it into 4 inch sections. Once cut, I could pry with the square, popping the piece out. It did not take long at all, I would say I had all the foam out in a few hours. I also did not have a fuel tank unter the floor, my fuel tank is a permanent steel tank that was mounted under the upper deck next to the splashwell.<br /><br />I am still waiting for decent temps to start rebuilding, it just keeps raining and stays in the forties. Frustrating....

 

[GlastronJohn]

Re: 71 Thunderbird tri-hull bowrider wet foam and deck

Believe it or not, I used a narrow trenching shovel on mine and I was able to pop out both rear flotation blocks in one or two pieces. I found that the foam didn't stick to the hull very well and stayed in a few large pieces. Obviously you'll want to be careful when prying against the outer hull etc. but it worked very well for me. Good Luck!<br />John

 

[scootyfish]

Re: 71 Thunderbird tri-hull bowrider wet foam and deck

Craig, my "T-bird" is a 17-footer. I've had a couple of people tell me to junk it because it's too much work and I don't have a motor. The more I think about it and the more I read about the experiences and successes you guys are having there's no way I'm gonna stop now! Since this is my first restoration/rebuild project it may take me a little longer than some, but what the heck, I'm goin for it.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 71 Thunderbird tri-hull bowrider wet foam and deck

Scooty, I knew my boat was junk when I got it. I had originally got it for the motor, but also as a potential project. My project is not a restoration, but a conversion. An old 70s tri-hull probably wouldn't be my first choice for a restoration, there are other more "worthy" boats out there. I realized my old tri-hull was the perfect platform for a center console, something I have wanted for some time. My particular tri-hull has aggressive lifting strakes and a deeper V to it, so it won't be quite as pounding in the rough, and it will be very stable. When I actually tore into it, I almost abandoned the project. All that ruined structure was disheartening to look at, even though I knew it was there. All I needed to do was saw the boat into four equal pieces and haul it to the dump, but I didn't. I got through the nasty part, and now I am to the fun part.<br /><br />Don't let anyone disuade you from your project. If an old 70s tri-hull is what you want to rebuild, then go for it. If nothing else, it will be good practice for the next one you do (and there always is a next one-I am on my second). I think my next one will be one of those 50s ones with the big fins and all that. They can look pretty cool when restored, and are starting to become worth something again. Anyway, good luck, and try to get us some pic....

 

[SCO]

Re: 71 Thunderbird tri-hull bowrider wet foam and deck

If you go into it with the idea that you are going to upgrade from old to new, agressively tackle the project, it isn't so bad. If you cut into it thinking you might not have to do much if lucky, you'l be let down. Good luck, and I recomment separating the deck and replacing transom from the inside.

 

[scootyfish]

Re: 71 Thunderbird tri-hull bowrider wet foam and deck

Hey Guys, support isn't expensive, but it sure is worth alot! Thanx.