fear is realized..........

[jtrom]

So I always suspected something was wrong with my 74' fiberglass tri-hull..... It always seemed way too heavy and listed to one side in the water sitting still... I drilled some inspection holes in the floor last night and took a core sample: foam is completely saturated and could even see standing water through the holes... Time to replace the deck and probably stringers.. I've never done anything thing like this before but I know I can tackle it and have the equipment for it....Can someone one direct me to a thread for deck removal?.....how close to the edge do I cut it?...flush?. Thanks for any advice.. I'm sure this forum will be my lifeline the next few months...

 

[jonesg]

Re: fear is realized..........

Add the transom , unless it was done its bad too.
It will be easier to remove the cap.

Enjoy this complete tri-hull resto .
http://recaffeinated.net/skankybeast/page1.html

 

[jtrom]

Re: fear is realized..........

How do I remove the cap?... do I have to grind it off or is it screwed/riveted on?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: fear is realized..........

Remove the rubber from the bumper rail. There will be either rivets or screws (Hundreds of em)holding the metal bracket on as well as the top cap to the lower cap. If it's rivets drill em out using as close to the size as possible so you can fivet it back together. Your cap may or may NOT have some adhesive holding it to the lower half. A chisel of jig saw or grinder will help break it loose.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: fear is realized..........

There could be other attachment points, really needs some pictures before this goes any further and wrong advice is handed out.

 

[oops!]

Re: fear is realized..........

we need pics.
there are two different types of cap/hull joints in the 70's
a flange type and a sho box.

take the caps off the corners....the shoe box type will be evedent.
the flange type is a pita

 

[rickryder]

Re: fear is realized..........

I see you went with the core sampling. Sorry to hear it's wet down there.....
Well time to get grinding and cutting into it to see how deep it's gotten....
Were here to help you along! Welcome to the dry dock!
Read the gentleman above me ^ thread and you will gain much knowledge.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: fear is realized..........

dont be so modest rick...your thread is also ultra informative...especially if the reader is a newb with little to no glass experience.

 

[jtrom]

Re: fear is realized..........

Well it looks like I'm at a fork in the road....junk the boat or fix it... I have decided to fix it because any cheap boat I buy up here in Michigan will probably have the same problems as this one. Now I am having a case of the "mind as wells".....If I am going to pull the the cap, I mind as well paint it...ect........Is this a disease?...anyway, how hard is it to paint a fiberglass boat???????? will it take paint or do you use gelcoat?... This is my first fiberglass boat

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: fear is realized..........

You're going to get some mixed opinions on paint here, but in answer to your question, YES it will take paint and there are many opions available to you. I've painted many hulls with Dupont Imron, it holds up great, however many have used other brands and many are okay to use. The main thing is prep to the hull. Getting it ready to paint is more important that the paint or paint method you choose. But at the stage you are now that's a while down the road, so you have plenty of reading time before you get to the painting stage.

We really need some pictures to see what hull you have.