Question on cap removal

[carlos515]

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?

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

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]

Thanks, Mike for the detailed process. I will finish removing the last bit of stringers, then lift the cap.

 

[racerone]

Support the hull so it does not distort while structural elements are removed.

 

[carlos515]

Ok, the supports in my picture are not enough? Would I have to build a cradle for the hull?

 

[carlos515]

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]

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]

That would work also.

 

[carlos515]

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 ?

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

I don't think so. That's how it was originally so it should be fine.

 

[carlos515]

Actually they did not touch the floor. They were just 2x2 wood pieces. It is hard to see in the photo.

 

[Scott Danforth]

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.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, put the boat back on the trailer. Build two "hangmans scaffolds" to support the cap. Use 4X4 posts and double 2x8 for the headers.

Install 2 or more block and tackles or come-a-longs to lift the cap. Pull the trailer out.

 

[carlos515]

Gee, put the boat back on the trailer. Build two "hangmans scaffolds" to support the cap. Use 4X4 posts and double 2x8 for the headers.

Install 2 or more block and tackles or come-a-longs to lift the cap. Pull the trailer out.

Unfortunately my trailer is a roller one. My hull is dimpled from the rollers as it is. I have been building a cradle to support the hull. I was going to use 2 engine hoists to lift the cap.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

I was going to use 2 engine hoists to lift the cap.

Be very careful with just 2. That leaves a lot of room for flex, and the cap isn't very rigid when seperated from the hull.

 

[carlos515]

Be very careful with just 2. That leaves a lot of room for flex, and the cap isn't very rigid when seperated from the hull.

Ok thanks, What would a 20ft bow rider cap roughly weigh? Perhaps a few Hangman scaffolds Like Chris1956 suggests would be a better idea.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

Ok thanks, What would a 20ft bow rider cap roughly weigh? Perhaps a few Hangman scaffolds Like Chris1956 suggests would be a better idea.

No idea, I've never had to be concerned with weight. They aren't very heavy really, just not very solid on their own.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I did 5 cheap ratchet straps. 2 in the back, 2 in the middle, one in the front. Just walked around the boat, tightening one at a time, rasing each strap 2-3"

Total weight is about 300# if you have the windshield still attached. Not much weight

They are FLIMSY though. Think of a pool noodle with a baseball on the end flimsy which is why you want multiple pick points

 

[Chris1956]

You could suspend 2X6s from bow to stern from the scaffolds and loop the rachet straps around the 2X6s to provide as much support to the length of the cap, as you need.

The real hard part will be truing up the hull. You will want a cradle with nice straight supports to eliminate any hook in the hull. Maybe you could fasten those straight supports to your existing trailer, as trailers tend to be straight.

 

[carlos515]

The scaffolds and 2x6 will work. Did not know that I could use multiple ratchet straps. That is excellent.
At the moment I am building the cradle. I plan on using 2x6 on the flat with a 2x4 on edge to support the hull. Like a T shape.