Glad mine doesnt have any foam.

I had an 18 with those same problems.

I suspect this is the same thing I would find under my '79 center console floor as I too can see the foam in the front storage areas. It weird though that the '79 cuddy that I'm working only had foam around the tank. I plan on filleting the tops of the stringers, cleaning out any existing wood with an electric chainsaw and poruing carbon core. It's going to be pricey but I will have a boat that will never rot. I guess I'll get around to it when it gets a bit warmer.

I hear you on waiting until it is warmer. I was actually doing a little work on my boat yesterday. We got hit with that artic front and the temperature went from 70 degrees at noon yesterday (Saturday, 12/18) down to 18 degrees this morning (Sunday 12/18).

For cap removal. After removing rub rail and screws, I raised the bow and stern with a neighbors tractor and placed 2x4's in corners to hold top above stringers. Tractor would not lift the whole cap. Too much weight at that height. I made an A frame 12 ft tall and used a chain hoist to lift it up. I built a wood beam from doubled up 2x4's that went from the splash well to the anchor storage wall. I doubled more 2x4's as cross braces. Placed boards in the openings of bow storage areas and secured to cross beam. Lashed cross beam to top of center beam. I placed 2x4's under floor tank opening about 8 inches from the ends and did the same with the double openings in front of splash well. All of these were strapped with heavy duty ratchet straps to pull everything tight to floor. I made some steel brackets to bolt to beam and attached chains to and hoist hook. Took me a few tries to get the center of gravity right. After that, she came up with no problem. Placed several saw horses under cap and set down. I plan to modify the lift rig to rotate cap when I get ready to rework the floor. Unless someone has a good way flip it over without breaking anything. I am up for suggestions.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! I will be off line till next year.

Same to you!

:beer:

Fldivebum,

Thanks for the detailed explanation of how you got the top cap up and off the boat. I don't have a forklift or big tree in the backyard to use so that definitely helped.

I'll be in Florida the first week of 2017 - taking the family to Pensacola Beach area for some R & R and some ocean fishing.

Merry Christmas to you and to all on this forum.

Slight de-rail

Redloon, our water temps are still pretty warm, so don't pass up the chance to do some surf fishing. Bring a long spinning rod and set up while kids play on the beach. Some of the largest pompano & whiting are cruising the sandbars this time of year.

Phatdaddy,

Yeah - I plan on bringing a couple of surf rods. I'll be out on the Pensacola Beach pier and the Navarre pier also. We did this a few years ago and had fun with the bonito and trying to keep them away from the sharks once you caught one. My kids are both over 25 so they will be there right alongside me fishing.

I've been following the Pensacola Fishing Forum and am looking forward to this.

Good deal, have fun