Questions about a rebuild???

[drewmitch44]

Tomorrow morning im going to continue cleaning out the hull of my Sea-Ray. A couple of questions that I have are:
1. How do you get the edges of the floor out? I used a circular saw to get
It to where it is now.
2. The stringers that are in here are pretty solid. Should i take them up and
how do you clean up the inside hull like i see everyone do? I know that
I have a leak through the hull somewhere but i dont know where.
3. If the stringers are solid should i just re-glass them in place with roving
and call it good?
4. Any other tips anyone can give me as im doing this project? Like i said im starting back up on this in the morning and as of now im going to try to get everything as clean as possible.
Ive added some pics to help you guys help me. Thanks!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Questions about a rebuild???

1. If it's so close there's no way to cut it, then you need to start grinding.

2.
A. If the stringers are solid, with no rot, then you can leave them, but most are in bad shape when you really start checking them.

B. again the grinder.

C. unless there's a crack or other damage, it's normally a fitting or drain.

3. If the stringers are solid, then there's no reason to take them out, so no reglassing.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Questions about a rebuild???

A very handy tool is an angle grinder, you can put cut-off wheels and flap disks in it to do almost every job you've got. With a cut-off wheel you can just cut the fiberglass joint betwwen the deck and the hull which is all there is at the edge. Harbor freight has them for $19 unless you can find the coupon for $9. The fiberglass dust is tough on them so it's not too painfull to pitch it. Just practice with it away from the boat, it's high speed and can get away easily.

 

[DJ]

Re: Questions about a rebuild???

Make dang sure those stringers are solid. you DO NOT want to have to do this again in a couple years.

Acetone cleans up that stuff well. Be careful with it. Use a respirator, eye protection and heavy duty rubber gloves.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Questions about a rebuild???

Hi , well I just had to cut my stringer out and the angle grinder is a great tool, and in the really right spots I got the dremel out with a dimond cutting bit !!! and that cut through it like butter !! If your stringers are good I agree leave them but make sure you check them really good !! any dought do them now rather then later !! have fun John

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Questions about a rebuild???

If you havent used these tools before may I add as "NORM" says...."Read and understand the safety rules about the tool before you use it and there is no more of an inportant safety item as these "safety glasses" . and use a good proper fiting dust mask also.....

 

[DJ]

Re: Questions about a rebuild???

The fairlaneman is right.

By the way, COVER UP GOOD. Fiberglass is VERY itchy. I was cutting some today and I itch. You DO NOT want that stuff in your lungs.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Questions about a rebuild???

how do you clean up the inside hull like i see everyone do? I know that I have a leak through the hull somewhere but i dont know where.

I used a pressure washer on my boats with a fanned tip not a straight spay tip. If you have access to a pressure washer make sure that your pressure is cut down on the pressure washer so you make sure that you don't blow a hole through the fiber glass. Standing far back from the hull also will work if you can't adjust the pressure. Doing this made the inside of my 1960 model fiberglass hull look like new.

Or you got the old brush and elbow grease also instead of the pressure washer. I know I had a mess in each boat I have taken the floor out of, a shop vac, an air compressor with a blow gun, a hand broom and dust pan comes in handy. The previous owner put carpet everywhere on one of my boats, I have used allot of different methods on cleaning the hull some of them are time consuming but I couldn't be happier with the results of the one boat especially.

 

[oops!]

Re: Questions about a rebuild???

hey drew.

heh heh hows yer back feel?

as far as cleaning every one else has said it.

i just wanted to add about the dust mask.

you dont want to use one of thoes doctor like thingies,

spend the cash and get a good one that seals tight around your face.
you know? the kind with the two round filters in front?

if fiberglass dust gets in your lungs, it wont ever come out!
also, some say that sprinkling talcom powder on yer bod before you start works to stop the itch.

good luck, and happy grinding!
oops