Pointer's needed on Cap/Hull assembly!!!!

[j_k_bisson]

I was hoping for any pointer, tips, tricks, helpful nudges that anyone has on cap installation on a hull. I have never done this before.

I have a 1991 Trophy 2002 wa that I have removed the cap off in order to replace the transom and stringer due to rot. I am coming up to reassembling the cap to the hull, and I am sitting here wondering what could go wrong and how to over come it.

I had planed on the following;
1) To have both halves climatized to the same temps. It will be cold though. 30-40'F
2) Have 4-6 people around with putty knives to help "fit" the edge together corectly when lowering the cap on to the hull.
3) Start the cap at the front and work/lower the cap until the back lines up and fall in.

Questions;
1) Will I need to have ratch straps to pull the hull fore/aft to get the same length hull/cap?
2) Should I get the top/cap warm so the top flex's a bit more. Also will the increase temp difference between top and bottm make a big length difference between the pieces?

Any helpful hints would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Pointer's needed on Cap/Hull assembly!!!!

Your plan sounds good to me. I was thinking ratchet straps before I even read your question #1 so I think having a couple sets of those around could be helpful. Definitely work front to back and if you have enough people to be working both sides at once...even better.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Pointer's needed on Cap/Hull assembly!!!!

I found that the most important thing I dig was NOT filling the holes from the drilled out rivets.

They are a great guide.

I put some screws(#10) in some holes and used screwdrivers to line things up.

Funny thing is I really wanted to fill them but got lazy.

 

[redfury]

Re: Pointer's needed on Cap/Hull assembly!!!!

buckle up the waistline of the boat ( ratchet straps around the center of the hull ) to help hold it in. Having as many people as possible with wide putty knives will go a long way to helping get the hull down.

I've done it myself on my boat ( twice ) and it's a real pain if you aren't prepared, and it certainly goes easier when you have somebody manning the dropping of the hull separate of everyone making sure the cap fits over the hull properly.

Don't force anything , you shouldn't have to. I'd agree with the idea of keeping the holes for alignment back to original. I'm glad I saw that, I was thinking of doing the same thing, but having alignment holes makes perfect sense. That way you don't allow the cap to sit too low or too high when you start to screw it down.

 

[mcgyver]

Re: Pointer's needed on Cap/Hull assembly!!!!

Jeff, waiting to hear how the the cap reassembly went! Doug

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Pointer's needed on Cap/Hull assembly!!!!

I'm a week to two off from doing this. I you check out my other forum in the signature you can keep tabs of where I am in this project. I like to ask questions well in advance so I can get alot of feedback before I do it.

Thank everyone for you input and help it is very appreciated.

I will post how it goes when I get there.

 

[SKOOTCH]

Re: Pointer's needed on Cap/Hull assembly!!!!

I'm gettting ready to do that too and those tips will come in handy.

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Pointer's needed on Cap/Hull assembly!!!!

I'm gettting ready to do that too and those tips will come in handy.

Yours looks like you are taking it off. I'm putting mine on. But anyways if you are taking it off, you will deffinately want to lift it very slowly. You will propably fin a bunch of wire and hoses that need to be disconnected before complete removal. I supported mine at three points so I did not break it. You will deffinately want to do this as well.