How to remove the top?

[danthern]

Hi...I'm attempting to replace the floor and stringers in a 14' Titan Thundercraft. Most of the floor is out. My question is how to remove the top and console so I can get to the bow (bowrider)? I can feel screws or something (rivets?) at the chines but how do you get there? There is a trim strip that goes all the way around the boat, I assume its under there. Does it pop out to gain access to the fasteners? Sorry for the ignorance, first project. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: How to remove the top?

your on the right track, pull the trim strip off and you should see the pop rivits holding the moulding on, after you drill them out and get the moulding off there will probably be more holding the deck to the hull, after drilling those out there will probably be bedding compound sealing the two parts together. you can usually spread it enough with a screwdriver to cut the bedding with a long razor knife. once you get the bedding cut the top should pop right off

 

[74Baja]

Re: How to remove the top?

i recently did this to get to the transom on my 16 foot baja, its alot of work, but prettymuch essential to the work that your doing. i found that when lifting the top off it helps to put a little piece of scrapwood under the lip of the top and lift. my 16 footer took 5 substantial people to carry the top off, i dont know your boat, but you may need somewhere around the same.

 

[mikemerrill50]

Re: How to remove the top?

one thing you could do, that friends of mine did when they worked on a boat, was remove the top using your car, so you and only one other person have to be there. if you're working on it outdoors, run a line from your trailer hitch (use a tow-rope shackle on the end and clip it where the trailer chains hook on) over a sturdy tree limb, and run straps around the top, attach the other end of the rope with a shackle to the straps, and drive the car slowly away while a friend directs the top. oh, and before you hook up the rope tie a nice knot in the rope about 5 feet from your trailer hitch with a shackle so that you can hook into that rope and tie it to a tree or something so your car doesn't have to be there all the time. <br /><br />if it's in your garage, i've heard of people simply drilling a pulley into the ceiling, but i would worry about doing something like that. if you do, make sure it can support the top!

 

[danthern]

Re: How to remove the top?

Thanks for the input. I'm wondering if I MAY be able to do this without seperating the hull. On preliminary exam, the transom seems to be solid, but certainly warrants thorough inspection which I intend to do hopefully today. If that turns out to be the case, can I just cut out the moulded part of the deck in the front and re-glass it when I re-install the floor? The side stringers only run 3/4 of the way to the bow, but the center one appears to go all the way to the bow. Don't want to get into more than I can handle with my VERY limited experience. thanks to all!!