Boat Hull Seperation (HELP PLEASE!!!!!)

[Chuck B.]

I need to seperate the two pieces of my hull. It has an aluminium metal track w/ what looks to be a plastic bumper guard type thing that runs in the tracks. My main question is how to remove the plastic piece? Looks like the track itself is riveted to the fiberglass. Will this track need to be removed by drilling out the rivets? What might I encounter after that? Any seals, sealing compounds, etc.? I need to seperate to get a really good look at the transom damage(rot). Thanks for any advice you can give me, Chuck B.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Boat Hull Seperation (HELP PLEASE!!!!!)

What might you encounter? Every manufacturer puts things together differently.What brand of boat do you have?

 

[Chuck B.]

Re: Boat Hull Seperation (HELP PLEASE!!!!!)

Sorry, It is a 1980 Sea Raider 14ft. Hope this helps cause I am a begginner at boating and this is about all I know about the boat. Thanks, Chuck B.

 

[evin300]

Re: Boat Hull Seperation (HELP PLEASE!!!!!)

Chuck, you are on the right track. The bumper gaurd piece should be made of rubber, start at the joint where both ends meet and pull one end out of the track, then just continue.<br /><br />There should be rivets holding the track on, so you will need to drill them out, these are the same rivets that hold the seam together. With a bit that is the same size as the dia. of the body of the rivet, start drilling from the outside, the rivet head will pop off immediatley, and you should be able to pull them through from the inside or just push from the outside. By doing it this way, you will preserve the correct diameter of the original holes.<br /><br /> Now you can remove the track and any exterior caulking that may be holding it in place.<br /><br />I really doubt that the two pieces of your hull have any fiberglass on the interior seam holding the together, but I would take a peek just to see.<br /><br />New rubber for the bumper and large rivets are readily available. (bumper rubber will not be damaged by removing) Good Luck!

 

[evin300]

Re: Boat Hull Seperation (HELP PLEASE!!!!!)

Chuckb, try to confirm transom rot before going to this stage

 

[Chuck B.]

Re: Boat Hull Seperation (HELP PLEASE!!!!!)

I already know that there IS rot and damage to the transom, after looking under the Area where the battery and fuel tank sits, I discovered there is no way to get to the parts I need to replace. That is without seperating the deck and hull. I figure that I want to repair these places properly so I dont end up in the middle of the TN. river with my Johnson and my boat heading for the bottom!! One question though, I also have to repair outer fiberglass damage to the transom area. Would it be possible to cut all this damage out from the back side of the boat?

 

[evin300]

Re: Boat Hull Seperation (HELP PLEASE!!!!!)

Oh ya I do believe it is possible, I didnt do mine that way, but if the outer hull glass is really trashed I may have considered doing it that way. <br /><br />You will have to find out from others how to do it this way.

 

[EQCM2B]

Re: Boat Hull Seperation (HELP PLEASE!!!!!)

I had to do the same to my boat when I first got her. I made sure to use the stainless steel rivets when putting it back together. Also make sure that the rivets are long enough to go ALL the way through BOTH pieces of fiberglass with enough left on the inside to hold them together tightly. I didn't see any type of sealer between the two halves but I squeezed some silicon in between the two halves before I popped the rivets. <br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Boat Hull Seperation (HELP PLEASE!!!!!)

Hey evin,<br />When are ya gonna tell'um 'bout tha chainsaw?<br />Heh heh heh<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />hooty

 

[evin300]

Re: Boat Hull Seperation (HELP PLEASE!!!!!)

Ah Hooty, you know I am just lyin here in wait! startin to salivate, so the time must be near. <br /><br />Man Hooty, youve got me pegged!