Question on cap removal

carlos515

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2020
Messages
261
I ended up with my Sun Ray back to work on. Long story for another time.
I would like to take the cap off. I have the boat off the trailer and supported on my stands. Would I need to do anything else to remove the cap?
 

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MikeSchinlaub

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Jan 14, 2025
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Remove the rub rail, make sure nothing inside is an attachment point between cap and floor, get three or four beam frames above to lift from (like these https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-telescoping-gantry-crane-62510.html ) or some equivalent. You'll need 2 chain hoists for each point of lift, straps long enough to go under the cap to the hoist on each side, and probably some 2x4's for support. Then something to set it on when you have it off, supporting it so it doesn't flex too much.

Also, wiring, steering cables, and throttle cables are usually run through glass loops on the underside of the cap. So you will likely have to loosen all that so it either lifts with the cap or stays with the hull.
 

carlos515

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 23, 2020
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261
Thanks, Mike for the detailed process. I will finish removing the last bit of stringers, then lift the cap.
 

carlos515

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2020
Messages
261
Ok, the supports in my picture are not enough? Would I have to build a cradle for the hull?
The only reason I need to take the cap off is to get the top of the transom ground for new glass. Perhaps I should get a long neck grinder to tackle the transom top.
 

MikeSchinlaub

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Jan 14, 2025
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That would be much easier. I've also used a sawzall. Tape a stir stick to a long blade, and put some adhesive backed dand paper on the stick. It was a bit slow, but it worked.
 

carlos515

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 23, 2020
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261
I mentioned before in my original posting of the Sunray, that I will need to replace the hull, stiffeners? Would making the stringers with these in ply also joined to the floor, make them too rigid ?
 

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carlos515

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 23, 2020
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Actually they did not touch the floor. They were just 2x2 wood pieces. It is hard to see in the photo.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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52,358
I would build a cradle for the boat, then pull the cap off. the hull will be floppy without the cap and you need to hold its shape.

I used ratchet straps to the ceiling rafters in my pole barn on my last de-cap

used an a-frame gantry hoist prior to that.
 
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