Cap is off

[jasoncooperpcola]

Started at 6 this morning and at about 9:30 I had the cap off. I had to jack the boat up and put a 2x4 under the cap edge on the bow then lower the trailer and bounce on the tongue to get it broke loose. To discover foam we sprayed in the bow. Glued it up pretty tight. Next came the transom, after winching, raising and lowering the bow, and opening a pretty good sized stress crack in each corner of the cap I figured the splashwell was glued to the transom. Tore the fiberglass off the back edge of the splashwell, and it was glassed in. I think I hit it with a hammer and flat bar about five times before it gave way.

Got the hull out from under the cap. Now some bad news. Looks like I am replacing every stringer and floor (cross stringers) in the boat, up to the cuddy liner. Everything is rotted out and where one stringer meats another stringer its broke. After seeing this on TWO Wellcrafts now, I am thinking about running twin stringers glassed together in place of one stringer.

I did not know the stringer cavities on the outside edges were completely filled with foam. There should be enough foam in it, to keep it afloat if something bad happens. Right now I am removing the foam around the gas tank with a chainsaw to have a look at the tank. Pics a little later.

[RidgeRunner]

Get er done.. Those 4x6 do the job? Pictures, please.. I gotta see.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Yes, the 4x6 did not even bend the slightest.

Bow broke loose





Cap off and winched all the way to the 4x6s.

[jasoncooperpcola]

And now the bad.

Transom rot.





Broken stringers

[jasoncooperpcola]

Gas tank removal FUN!! And I still have not got it broke loose even with all the foam removed from around the sides of the tank.





Why the cut down stringers???





Hull as it sits now



Cap, resting on a 4x6 up front and a 4x4 on the rear



Here you can see where I tore a section of the splashwell lip out to break the cap loose from the transom.

[Kracker Jack]

Holy smokes Batman!!!!! That's a lot of work dude.

[jasoncooperpcola]

still cant bidge the tank. About to hook up to a tree and pull.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Originally Posted by Kracker Jack

Holy smokes Batman!!!!! That's a lot of work dude.

Yeah. I was hoping the stringers would be ok. Still fighting the fuel tank. Already broke one strap. Lifted the boat about a half inch off the trailer and wanted to let it sit for a while. Ten seconds later i heard ripping saw the boat drop and a strap end fly up. This is getting fun now. I have already tore one bulk head out and sawed under the tank.

[smokeonthewater]

two words..... cable saw


BTW good work and don't sweat the "broken stringers" That's just the glass skin.... your skin would tear too if your bones rotted away.... rebuild it like it was and it'll be PLENTY strong for as long as the wood lasts.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Originally Posted by smokeonthewater

two words..... cable saw


BTW good work and don't sweat the "broken stringers" That's just the glass skin.... your skin would tear too if your bones rotted away.... rebuild it like it was and it'll be PLENTY strong for as long as the wood lasts.

You think 3/4" stringers will be ok with a bracket and possibly a 225/250hp outboard or twins? Right now I have a 2.5L Merc 200 to go on it, but I am considering some modifications to it that will put it at least at 225. I was thinking twin 100/125s later on.

On the joint where I tore the bulkhead out, the wood was like dirt on both sides. I think if I am going to go thru the trouble of rebuilding it, I would rather do it right and keep all the water out of the wood.

Finally got the fuel tank out! I hooked a bigger strap around the tank lifted the boat again but this time I drove wedges under the tank. Scary at first because I did not know if I was hearing ripping glass or ripping foam. I was really surprised at how the foam itself tore in places rather than releasing from the tank. Have I mentioned I hate the smell of putrid rotted salt water?