Seperating the halves?

[1986mariner150]

My old charger is needing floors and in order to get all the old out it looks like I need to pull the rub rail and seperate the hull from the top. It looks to be screwed into the floor around the edges of the console, rod locker ect. Looks like they put the floor in the hull and then attached the top. Is this something that can done by the average handy tool junky? or would I be just as well off to get as close as posible to the edges and tie it back in with a few layers of roven and resin? I would like them to last another 20 years like the originals did.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Seperating the halves?

1986M.... The hull separation can be done by the average workman, if they can handle the weight and support of the top half of the hull. Be careful to support the top well enough to preclude breakage, since on some boats the top is very thin in some areas. Also, after you remove the top and the floor, the bottom of the hull may collapse since the side strength is provided by the floor and top of the hull. I would recommend that you leave the two halves of the hull connected if at all possible.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Seperating the halves?

Pulling the two apart is a tricky adventure. When you have the top half off and the floor out you have to make sure you don't distort the hull in anyway or the top wont go back on right. Many here would do it but for me in the back yard I would cut it close and tie them together.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Seperating the halves?

If you are relativly handy this is a pretty strait forward job for a SMALL boat - - you did not tell us much about what you have - - I would not hesitate for a 16'er but would think twice about a 23'+. Also there will be a lot more to it if you have - - lets say a hard top vs a runabout.

 

[1986mariner150]

Re: Seperating the halves?

It is an 18 ft bass boat.

 

[johnnybigrigger]

Re: Seperating the halves?

Good advice on the hull distorting.

 

[1986mariner150]

Re: Seperating the halves?

I am going to cut around the edges, if however I find bad stringers I will be in touch. Thanks!