Top cap troubles

[jdp8488]

5 guys spent a couple hours trying to get the top cap lined up perfect, and it still isnt on right. Keeps popping out in spots, and one spot up front will not even go on. The hull was sitting on bricks upside while I painted it, and I guess in that on spot up front the boat has gotten warped.. What way do you guys normally go about getting on a troublesome top cap. It has screws holding it in place in most spots, but others there seems like theres no way it will go back...Need some help.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Top cap troubles

Pictures always help, jdp8488.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Top cap troubles

I take it that you've already tried prying it in place? What I mean..........Have you took anything like a crow bar and used it like a shoe horn? A plate piece of thin stiff steel would be better then a crow bar though I guess. I'm not talking about forcing it to the point that you crack the fiberglass but encouraging it a little bit to make it fit.

As Wizeone said.."pictures always help".

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Top cap troubles

I didn't check your other posts to see if you replaced the stringers and floor, if you did, thats where the problem is. If you don't keep everything lined up the hull will distort and be locked in the new shape which will create an issue like you have now.

If you just had it upside down and it developed a slight warp then it should go back together with some gentle nudging.

If you lock it down with screws and they're not in the exact right place then it will bind and not fit. It's easier to hold it down with some big friends or sand bags so when you pound and pry it can move some.

 

[jdp8488]

Re: Top cap troubles

We did try prying, even ran some straps around the boat and jacked the straps to tighten it up. Everything was replaced, floors, stringers, transom, but it was supposedly done professionally. When I got the boat, the top cap was laying on it, not put down like it should have been, so I am not sure if it fit right before I painted it. It just does not seem 100% right. It fits okay, but not like a glove.. The very front tip of the boat there is about a finger width of gap in between the boat and cap, but it is lined up perfect in the back.. So it cant go back anymore. I will post pics tommorow. I was going to get a big C clamp and try and get that one trouble spot into place. All of the original screw holes pretty well line up, so that is one plus.

 

[jdp8488]

Re: Top cap troubles

Here is some lousy quality pics with my phone.. if it helps. First pic is the problem side, second is the other side that fits good. The pic of the nose of the boat with the gap. And the back of the boat which is perfect on both sides.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Top cap troubles

I know you said "all the original screw holes pretty well line up". Do you have any screws in it? Have you had screws in it all along?

As Ondarvr said

If you lock it down with screws and they're not in exact the right place then it will bind and not fit. It's easier to hold it down with some big friends or sand bags so when you pound and pry it can move some.

.

It would be better to take the screws out, don't matter if the original holes line up or not.

 

[jdp8488]

Re: Top cap troubles

Yeah, we put screws in as we went, and we went from one side to the other.. So your saying take all of em out and start over?

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Top cap troubles

Yeah, we put screws in as we went, and we went from one side to the other.. So your saying take all of em out and start over?

You can try putting the cap completely in place then screw it down. As mentioned earlier weigh the cap down somehow.

 

[jdp8488]

Re: Top cap troubles

What about that big gap in the front, the back seems to be lined up good, so I cant figure why that gap is there, and dont really know what to do about it.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Top cap troubles

For one thing if the cap isn't screwed down you can manuever it easier. How much of a gap is between the sides of the hull and the cap?

You could take a 2x4 and cut it to length to fit in the middle of the hull snug then use it use it to spread the side wider. It might pull the front back some.

 

[jdp8488]

Re: Top cap troubles

The sides fit good, not much of a gap, the back is good, no gap. Everything seems to fit good accept the one front corner, and the nose of the boat. I will try and get it right tommorow. Appreciate the help.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Top cap troubles

The sides fit good, not much of a gap, the back is good, no gap. Everything seems to fit good accept the one front corner, and the nose of the boat. I will try and get it right tommorow. Appreciate the help.

Alright. See what you can do and report back when you can.

 

[oops!]

Re: Top cap troubles

as ondarvr said......


the guys that replaced the stringers messed up......they warped the hull......if you paid for the job.......check the planing surface with a stringline,,,,,see if you are hooked or not......

when you dont brace the heck outta the sides during a stringer job....the cap wont fit.....kinda like a tupperwear lid thats just a wee bit too tight.

one thing you can use is a gazillion paint stir sticks.....they help to push the sides in when the cap is being worked on to the hull....once you have an area....weight it so it wont pop out on you......dont use screws unless the holes are perfect.....

start at the nose......and work your way back.......when you get to the transom....and you are just a wee bit too short.....but a block on the nose.....and have two guys on the splash well area with a 2x4 across the transom.......then take light hammers.....and in perfect timing......tap the cap farther back......(dont swing hard and smack the stuffings outta it....just hit it medium hard.....the cap will move backward an fraction of an inch at a time....when you get there......use the paint stick trick....to show horn the edge of the cap over the transom....then slap it down !

i properly braced the sides of my boat with thredded rod......the cap was still a chore...i was able to get it on most times with 3 people..we had it down to a science....it only took 10 mins one time...i have removed it and put it back on no less than 5 times now....last time i did it by myself with the stir sticks.

see if you can get a regular camera and resize the photos to 640x 480 ish....then just cut and paste the img tag in the reply....they will show up big in the post so we can to help you better

cheers
oops

 

[Mark42]

Re: Top cap troubles

Here is some lousy quality pics with my phone.. if it helps. First pic is the problem side, second is the other side that fits good. The pic of the nose of the boat with the gap. And the back of the boat which is perfect on both sides.

Ok, now I see exactly what you mean. At first I couldn't believe it, but now I have to agree.... Those are lousy quality pics.

 

[jdp8488]

Re: Top cap troubles

hah, that they are. well the cap is on, there is still that gap in between the cap and boat on the nose, but i figured its no big deal. tonight the bumper rail goes on and a big 175hp merc. this thing is going to be a rocket. appreciate the help guys. -justin