Is this fixable? Overbite?

[rebuilt]

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I'm hoping the pics speak for themselves. Is this fixable without separating the hull halves? Previous owner gobbed it full of silicone and canned foam. Not too much problem cleaning that up. I would like to get it pretty close. It's a 77 Mongoose 15' bass boat. The separation goes pretty much evenly down port and stbd sides. The wood strip that provides backer for top half fasteners looks and feels to be in pretty good shape. Your help is appreciated. Thanks, KR

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[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is this fixable? Overbite?

somebody beat hell out of that boat. it would be easier separated. but can be done.

 

[rebuilt]

Re: Is this fixable? Overbite?

Thanks for your reply. I'm new to boats, (I know, it shows) not wrenches. This is the one I got as a package deal on my 35 hp motor. He gave the boat away. No joke. As I've gone over this thing, I'm starting to see why.I was thinking of scrapping the top half completely, run a band of pressure treated 2X4 around the top inside of the lower hull, bevel the lumber to a horizontal surface, glass that up, and turn it into a Jon style, with benches. Put my 18 tiller steer on it, or 35 on it, and make it a little river-sound, boat. Is that feasible? The inside of the existing upper is pretty beat up. It would probably be easier for me to just gut it, and make it into a Jon type. Thoughts?? Thanks, KR

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is this fixable? Overbite?

without seeing the whole boat hard to tell.

 

[rebuilt]

Re: Is this fixable? Overbite?

Good point. Will take a couple pics tomorrow, and bring this thread back up. Thanks, KR

 

[Coors]

Re: Is this fixable? Overbite?

a thought- I use sand-blasters on old autos.
would a small one clean that up, or would it over do it?

 

[rebuilt]

Re: Is this fixable? Overbite?

It's the huge gap between the upper and lower at the bow that I'm concerned about. I see no way to pull the lower back to where it meets the upper, or visa versa. Not without breaking one or the other. The gap extends down both sides to the tie off cleats. (Pics will show cleat location). I did some goofin in MS Paint to try and show what I'm thinkin about. The red line is the proposed cut line, the pic with the red and green lines shows the green line as the proposed pressure treated lumber I'm toying with attaching. I would re-install the aluminum bump strip track, and put the bump strip back in it. (I don't know the right nomenclature, 3 yrs in the Navy, we didn't have rubber or vinyl strips around the hull, we used fenders.) Treated lumber benches, with or without cushions, affixed to treated cleats that would be glassed to the inside of the lower hull sides. Tiller steer motor, and call it good. That's my low buck cure to this beat up tri hull. I'm sure it's do-able. I've got the tools(carpenter for 12 yrs) Is this a reasonable way to put this hull back to use? Thanks for lookin at this mess. Your input is appreciated. KR

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is this fixable? Overbite?

thats about all you can feasibly do with it. i would put a raise deck in the bow, like it is, as the hull's configuration is dangerous to walk on, and it will give it strength. i'm and old carpenter also. for the seats, i would use the reverse of a boxed beam so you can get cross bracing of the side will be really flimsy, the strength in the boat sides, now is the upper. will draw up what i'm talking about.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is this fixable? Overbite?

here's my idea for the seats and bracing.