Disassembly of V20

[Karl_Childers]

Hello all,

The previous owner of my V20 center console had made a half hearted attempt at replacing the floor. It is solid now, but I am afraid it won't last more than a couple of years. I was wondering if you can seperate the top and bottom half at the rub rail like you can on so many boats. Has anyone ever done this? Any pictures? I am just trying to get my ducks in a row for when this needs to be re-done. Thanks!!!

Rob

[RidgeRunner]

The Wellcraft comes apart after removing the rub rail and about 150 screws then remove the caulking that binds the liner to the hull at the rub rail.
What year is your center console? Early boats have a different liner configuration than later models.
The later models had bonding putty layed in on top of the stringers and the floor of the liner was set in place.
After you strip off the bow rail and remove the console and seats, you take the floor plate up that covers the fuel tank. Depending on how well it is bonded and what the prior owner has done, you typically can make some wedges out of wood and carefully drive them in between the top of the stringers and the floor. It is a big job and requires some method of mechanical lifting to get the liner free.
I cut a 2x4 to fit into the opening where the fuel tank sits, tied a rope to the 2x4 and started lifting with a forklift while driving in the wedges. The liner didn't move at first so I hooked another rope at the stern. Once the liner started to break loose it came loose all at once.
Look through the albums, there are lots of good pictures. Opinions vary but that is how I did my 1983. Made a jig to the contour of the floor and flipped the liner upside down to replace the rotton plywood blocks that made up the floor. Essentially leaving the inside skin intact.
Fun Stuff!

[Skillz]

If I am reading this correctly, you can separate the top half of the hull from the bottom half by removing the rubber rail that goes around the outside of the boat and wedging it apart?

I have a '71 V20 that I'd like to do that with. I need to rewire the entire boat and if I can lift up the floor it would make rewiring it a TON easier.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

You don't wanna have wires under your floor for a lot of reasons, the best place to run them is under your gunnels.

[RidgeRunner]

Originally Posted by Skillz

If I am reading this correctly, you can separate the top half of the hull from the bottom half by removing the rubber rail that goes around the outside of the boat and wedging it apart?

I have a '71 V20 that I'd like to do that with. I need to rewire the entire boat and if I can lift up the floor it would make rewiring it a TON easier.

Not sure about the liner in a 1971 v20. I think the center consoles had a two piece liner but they all have to be put together at the rub rail. I agree that wiring should be where you can get to it and securely fastened whenever possible. There isn't much wiring to consider on the average 20. Running lights, fuel tank and maybe a livewell pump. Unless you have installed auxillary lights, a windless or something extra all the remaining wires will run thru the rigging tube leading from the console to the stern.

[macojoe]

The older cuddy was a 3 piece hull, top, liner, hull, also agree its a lot of work to go thur to lay wires were they will never be got to and the wet environment they will be in.