Popping the top

[Marada92]

Alright guys.. I'm at that point where I need to remove the cap on my bowrider to get to the rest of the deck for removal. Figured I'd start a new thread for this instead of putting it on my resto thread in hopes of a quicker response. I know how to get it all loose. This is just a shoebox joint held together with screws. What I need to know is how to lift it. Don't have the man power to lift it by hand nor do I have have a shop to hang it from the rafters. Have considered building two A-frames but this will need to be wide enough that I can roll the hull out once the cap is lifted.
Here's what I'm dealing with.. 18' bowrider with molded in front seating area.

Just needing some ideas on what to lift it with. Thanks in advance

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Popping the top

Do you own those Pine Trees behind the garage? Bolt a couple of 2x8's between two trees Block the 2x8's together to create a beam and make your self a Gantry. Back the boat between them and make some attachment points on the cap and use a come along and some rope/cable to hoist her up in the air. Then drive away with your hull... Just thinking out loud...

 

[Marada92]

Re: Popping the top

Nope those are on another property.. But if they weren't I don't believe they are spaced wide enough to get the boat between them. Great idea though. I'm storing and working on the boat at my brothers inlaws house so I'm limited to what I can build. Anybody got an idea on what to expect on the weight of it with the consoles and windshield still attached? May end up having to round up a few folks and lifting it by hand. Around these parts I could probably stick a sign on the road that says free beer for first 10 volunteers and have a yard full of people in a few mins!

 

[yabuoy]

Re: Popping the top

I would look at my cellphone contact list and find the 6-10 best friends I have on there and get to work calling

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Popping the top

In Mississippi, I'm thinking some catered Sonny's BBQ and a cooler of beer and you could have the whole boat disassembled in an afternoon.

Given the circumstances, about 5 or 6 guys and yourself could definitely manage to get that top off.

 

[Marada92]

Re: Popping the top

In Mississippi, I'm thinking some catered Sonny's BBQ and a cooler of beer and you could have the whole boat disassembled in an afternoon.

Haha that ain't a half bad idea... I don't care so much for the disassembly as I do just getting that dang foam out... One would have to be concerned with quality of work though ya know! Thanks guys. I'll put my 5th grade education to work tomorrow and try to come up with a plan of attack. All this talk of beer has got me thirsty.