Opening up a V20

[Itchin]

First post. This is a great site. I have a small boat repair business, but I certainly don't know everything. I was a do-it-yourselfer that hobbied my way into a business. I visted some time ago but just recently signed up. I am a big fan of the Step V20. I'll help out here where I can, but I certainly appreciate other's insite.

I have a family friend and neighbor that needs help with a 1978 model. After looking through some photos and reading a few posts here, I made an observation: Vic's project appears to be opened up by removing the whole cored floor section. Has anyone else had success in doing this? How did you go about breaking the bond from the floor to stringers? I would have guessed the floor would tear to pieces this way. If this process typically works for this boat, it would be the best way to remove the floor. The floor could then be re-cored from the back side. Otherwise, you just remove it in sections and rebuild from scratch, maybe re-using the top skin.

The other issue with opening up, concerns the deck cap. I have seen some with the rear section cut off and have heard others refer to lifting the cap. Any suggestions on which works better for this boat?

[chumbucket]

Welcome to the site.
Several members here have done the job both ways (cutting and lifting just the deck and lifting the complete cap). I personally, have never attempted the job. From what I understand, the deck to stringer bond is a lot easier than you'd think. the cap to hull bond is much more difficult to break. I think I'd have to have got a boat for next to nothing for me to justify all the work involved. I certainly applaud the ambition of others for taking on such a task. I think when a boat reaches the stage that the deck needs to be removed, there isn't that much of a bond remaining. I would think so anyways.
If you go back to the gallery and check out Bigshrimpin's pic gallery, he has a Seacraft that he removed to top cap and is in the process of a complete rebuild. It's not the first that he's done either. I think he may be able to lend some very good insite into what's involved but the pics will certainly help.
Where is your shop located? Ther may be members of the site looking for someone to perform some work.

[Itchin]

I am in Smithfield, N. C. which is about 30 minutes east of Raleigh. My expertise is in gel-coat, paint and finish work, but I have also done a couple of major projects where we completely opened up the boat. On one we completely removed the hull cap, but it was a small boat, so it wasn't so bad. It was good experience though.

Sites like this are an excellent resource for the hobbiest and professional. When it comes to boat repair we are dealing with sophisticated materials and processes. Jobs need to be done correctly for safety and asthetics.

I am currently restoring a 1980 Mako 228 that I will probably keep for myself. A lot of great info on classicmako.com. Would still like to hear more feed back on opening up one of these StepV 20s.

[reelapeelin]

Itchin...I lifted the cap on my '74 couple of months ago...prior owner had rub-rail installed...looked great, but fasteners did not reattach cap to hull... :o...Didn't lift cap at the stern as didn't have means to remove motor, so seperated all the way around and placed 2-3" blocks between til got all clean up done...lifted w/a scissors jack and blocks under cuddy then stiff-legs under gunwhales...time consuming, but not too difficult... :D

Wish you were a little closer ...I got some work needed, sounds like your specialty...

[Vic]

Hey, Itchin, The floor is held down by what seem's to be a cabosil and resin mixture that is hardened like plaster and comes apart from the floor and stringers with no problem. We chipped the excess away with chizels. I have some new pics coming for every body. I have been rushin through the job to get ready for our anual Spanish mackerel run about Good Friday every year.

[Jester]

Anyone ever open up a full transom V20?

Got any pictures?

And what did you bond them with when you put them back together?

Aren't these (mid 80's I/O) sort of a sandwich of Hull, Liner, and then Cap?

Did you lever/wedge them apart just from the outer rail? Or did you pry from inside the cuddy cockpit too?

Just collecting as much info as possible.

Thanks.

[Vic]

Jester, I did my full transom this winter. Pictures are in the gallery page three of the cuddy version. I cut the floor about three inches up the side from the floor actually level with the bottom of the rod boxes and rear hatches.

[Jester]

Vic,
Thanks for the info. Your boat looks amazing. I love the golden yellow color. Did you paint her yourself? Brush & roller?

I'll be checking those pics out a lot more. But I'm not talking about my taking up the floor or just cutting the transom. I'm need to seperate the until Cap, & Hull to repair the Hull/Deck/Cap joint. Once I get back into my gallery, I'll be posting the whole ugly mess (of what I'm planing).

Jester.