v20 top cap removal

CharlestonSC · #1 02-19-2011, 09:42 PM

I have a 1989 v20 center console
I have had it for several years and the floor is getting softer so I am going to take the top cap off and refiberglass some new wood in the floor, and check transom and stringers.
Not quite sure if the top comes of as easy as just taking the screws out of top half under the rub rail,
Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Derek

RidgeRunner · #2 02-20-2011, 08:32 AM

You got it. After the console, fuel tank hatch and all the rigging is removed. Someone on here hung their top cap from a tree recently. Wellcraft used a thickened putty on top of the stringers and layed the cap into it to bond the two together. I made some small wedges of wood to tap in place between the top of the stringers and the bottomside of the liner. I started in the front with the hoisting. I hope this helps.

captpete13 · #3 02-20-2011, 08:46 AM

not sure about the center console but I removed the cap on my fathers project v20 cuddy. You would want to remove the console,seats or anything else on the deck. Also remove the fuel tank hatch. The deck is bonded to the stringers and transom. You will need some good pry bars and possibly a sawzall with a long blade to cut it loose. The cap is very heavy and very awkward to lift. You will need a lot of help or a good hoist with some slings. It is a little harder at first but it is much easier to make repairs once its out of the way

Stillrunning · #4 02-20-2011, 05:27 PM

Just remove the CC, the screws, and the two top bolts of the motor. We used a pulley in a tree and a truck to hoist it out. If you use a pulley in a tree make sure the limb is strong enough to hold the weight (don't ask me how I know that). Hoist it up and double check for any additional wires that might still be attached.

CharlestonSC · #5 02-21-2011, 10:18 AM

Thanks
Captpete13
Do you have any other pictures of the back side at the transom?
Do you have to cut it away from the transom or can you just pry it apart?
I plan to use a forklift to hoist the lid off how did you get the straps under the lid as I see in your pictures?

captpete13 · #6 02-21-2011, 09:23 PM

if you pull the transom cap off you can probably get a sawzall blade down there. The one I did had a pretty rotten transom so I cut without disregard. Pry it slowly to minimize gelcoat cracking. I pryed the deck up and set it on blocks of wood to get the straps around it. Here are a few more pics. I dont know if they help any.

CharlestonSC · #7 02-28-2011, 09:58 AM

What is the best way to take off the rub rail?
Mine has rope in the middle of it, I guess the screws are under that.
Just wondering on best way for removal and reinstall.
Thanks

awthacker · #8 02-28-2011, 12:39 PM

Start by removing the endcaps at the transom. Then just pull the rope out starting at one end. It will probably come out a lot easier than it will go back in. Under the rope you should find a screw about every 4 inches, or so. Remove them all. On my boat there were also screws beneath the rubrail. When you put the cap back on make sure to seal it up good with one or more tubes of 3M 5200 before reinstalling the rubrail. Fill the seam as well as all old screw holes.

CharlestonSC · #9 03-01-2011, 08:00 PM

thanks AW
What did you use for the gel coat repairs?
How many coats of paint did you end up using?

CharlestonSC · #10 03-04-2011, 10:01 PM

New pictures of the cap removal process. Tipped it up and got the back part to seperate from the transom with out cracking. the bottom looks great, and I see why the floor got soft, looks like someone or wellcraft cut 4 big holes under the center console to be able to attach it with a threaded screw vs wood screws but didn't seal the holes. Also found a big empty spot under the front seat of the center console, never used looks like I can put another fule tank for added travel.
here are a few pictures, thanks for help.