Ebbtide Riviera Project - how to access floor in bow compartment?

[ChronoFish]

Hi,
I'm restoring this 1990 Ebbtide Riviera XL starting with redoing the floor. I started in the back where the deck was soft and was hoping to stop at just under the console. Turns out that not only was everything rotten but also had large ants and the neither stopped at the console.

The bow riding part of the boat has no seams and is essentially the cap along the entire top of the boat. Since it's now a forgone conclusion that I'll be taking out the deck under the bow compartment, how do I get to it? Do I saw through the bow seats and work under the cap, or do I have to lift the cap off? Is this a personal choice or is lifting the cap the only (right) way? How have others done this?

Thanks!
CF

 

[todhunter]

Pulling the cap is the best way.

 

[Scott Danforth]

yep..... pull the cap, the bow area comes up with the cap. should be 2 or 3 screws at the edge of the bow well, then under the rub rail about 200 screws

I have used the rafters in the garage and 4-5 ratchet straps to remove the cap on a few boats. somewhere I have pics of the Avanti. it can be done by one person.

 

[ChronoFish]

yep..... pull the cap, the bow area comes up with the cap. should be 2 or 3 screws at the edge of the bow well, then under the rub rail about 200 screws

I have used the rafters in the garage and 4-5 ratchet straps to remove the cap on a few boats. somewhere I have pics of the Avanti. it can be done by one person.

Thanks.... boat is not in a garage though planning on getting a temporary "tented" garage... Any thoughts as to if that will be strong enough to hold the weight of the cap, or would I have to remove the windshield too?

 

[todhunter]

I left my windshield, steering, wiring, cleats, etc. all installed on my cap when I pulled it (18 1/2 ft boat, no bow-rider section). If I had to guess I'd say it was somewhere between 400-500 lb (just a guess though). I just got a handful of guys to come over and we lifted it off and set it on a simple wooden stand on the ground in my back yard. I've got the cap tarped with poles to keep rain from pooling on it, and that's where it's going to live until it's time to reinstall it.

 

[ChronoFish]

I left my windshield, steering, wiring, cleats, etc. all installed on my cap when I pulled it (18 1/2 ft boat, no bow-rider section). If I had to guess I'd say it was somewhere between 400-500 lb (just a guess though). I just got a handful of guys to come over and we lifted it off and set it on a simple wooden stand on the ground in my back yard. I've got the cap tarped with poles to keep rain from pooling on it, and that's where it's going to live until it's time to reinstall it.

Thanks!
I like your stand. I'm thinking maybe I'll make some brackets to help keep the boat edges firm and float the cap 1-2 feet above the boat. I don't think I need a lot of space to move (the bow section of the floor is only about 3 feet long). With the tent garage I won't have to worry about additional tarps.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Here is the pic of me removing the cap on the Avanti. the most dificult thing was going along with a linoleum knife to cut the sealant between the hull and cap.

 

[todhunter]

Thanks for the props on the stand, I think it turned out nice too.

Just make sure you have a plan for getting in and out of the boat. You'll be doing a LOT of that, so if your plan is to crawl between the 18-24" gap between cap and hull, that may get old pretty quick.

 

[ChronoFish]

Thanks for the props on the stand, I think it turned out nice too.

Just make sure you have a plan for getting in and out of the boat. You'll be doing a LOT of that, so if your plan is to crawl between the 18-24" gap between cap and hull, that may get old pretty quick.

hahaha took me a minute, but I see your point!
I have a ladder that goes up to the rear swim platform and I think it should be simple duck under as I step down into the boat.... I hope....!