Hull Separation Issue

[tysonnathan]

I am gettin ready to separate my '92 Infinity Bowrider so that I can do a deck (and possible transom) repair. I am also redoing the interior, so I am taking all of the cushions, side panels, and backrests out. When I pulled the backrests off of the bow seats I found a 4" hole on either side of the boat. These holes were filled with expanding foam. This foam fills the front of the boat between the inner shell and outer hull from the bow to the consoles. Is this going to cause an issue when I try to separate? Seems like they will be stuck together... Anyone run into this before?

Also, after I get the work done and start to put it back together, I was thinking about cutting holes in the glass underneath the bow cushions for storage space... Will this cause structural issues?? My old boat had storage under there but this one doesn't. I was thinking about trimming the cut fiberglass out in aluminum.

Thanks for the help!


This picture shows where the holes are behind the backrests...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

you may have to tear the foam out. you can replace if you want. as long as you leave enough support after the cut outs fine. i don't think you will gain a lot of storage though.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

Thanks for the reply tashasdaddy...

I plan to remove the foam... But, I am unable to access it without separating the boat. The foam itself is bonded to both the inner and the outer shell, holding it together. How do I separate the boat when it is held together by foam that I cant get to???

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

Any ideas????

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

Foam seems to work loose with a little effort. I think if you pry on it and wiggle it a little, it should break free.​

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

I will try to get it loose next week... There is a lot of foam in there, though. Seems to have really good adhesion too... I hope it comes apart w/o too much trouble. Might have to pry and wiggle a LOT

 

[redfury]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

What chemical eats away at foam? Short of using something like that that does, You'll have to slowly work it loose, cutting whatever foam you can get to with a blade of some sort. Someone makes a great tapered saw blade that has a handle on the end, and teeth on both sides of it...that would tear up some foam quick, and is great for sawing roots off small trees in the ground...if you ever find the need

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

What chemical eats away at foam? Short of using something like that that does, You'll have to slowly work it loose, cutting whatever foam you can get to with a blade of some sort. Someone makes a great tapered saw blade that has a handle on the end, and teeth on both sides of it...that would tear up some foam quick, and is great for sawing roots off small trees in the ground...if you ever find the need

the chemical thing is definately something to think about... maybe a chainsaw duct taped to the end of a long pole and slid in under the console??

 

[jonesg]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

What chemical eats away at foam?

gas, acetone. anything that goes kaboom.

I remember a fishing boat (Boston area) that sank yrs ago, both guys drowned.
They raised the boat and found a gas leak had dissolved the foam which caused hull failure, it split open and sank in less than 30 seconds.
Boat was new.!
Bad design and poor layup.

An elec bread slicing knife will take care of foam.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

An elec bread slicing knife will take care of foam.

I cant reach it....

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

From your description, it sounds like the manufacturer poured/injected the foam after the cap was attached to the hull. That resulted in a fairly large surface area being bonded. My personal experience with removing foam is it will split without a lot of force being applied, just not in a controlled manner. I got big chunks sometimes and little pieces at other times. If your plan for the project is to open areas under the bow seats for storage, anchors, etc., then that may be your only reasonable access to the foam. Try a keyhole saw or something else with a long, flexible blade so it will follow the contour of your hull. I would not use any type of powered saw as they can be too difficult to control and will do severe damage very quickly. Good luck!

 

[salty87]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

another thought...how are you trying to split the 2?...lifting...any prying?

i used a piece of 2x4, standing on end. cut it so you can wedge it under the lip of the top cap, at the bow. make sure it won't slip out easily, i was in grass so it caught in the dirt good. then lower the trailer jack>slowly. keep an eye on the lip of the hull, don't want to mess it up. hopefully, the bottom will lower with the trailer. if so, put a piece of wood in the joint to keep your progress. mine took lots of wrestling.

getting the first corner of the 3 (2 stern and 1 bow) split apart is the hard part. for that matter, the first inch of lifting and the last inch of lowering are by far the hardest.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

Look closely for missed rivets or screws or rivets that didn't drill all the way out. Also look for sealer along the perimeter that may need to be razor knifed. Slowly work your way around till you see some progress. Even foam filled tops will work loose eventually, those filled after top placement are the worst but will separate with some patience. On some boats a thin wire few through to cut the foam will help but it won't work on all style hulls. I ended up using a cheap old kitchen knife on the last one I did basically just stabbing the foam where I could to create a fault line for it to break away at. Be especially careful of the lower hull edge when lifting the cap off, especially if its coming off uneven. Too much force will pull missed rivets or screws right though the top leaving a tear to fix later.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: Hull Separation Issue

Thanks guys... all good ideas. I think I will try what willyclay said and go ahead and cut out where I want the under-seat storage.... This will give me a great deal of access to the foam.