1978 V20 CC Rebuild

[Fldivebum]

1978 V20 hull with cap removed.

[Fldivebum]

Bulkhead behind fuel tank.

[Fldivebum]

Bulkhead forward of the fuel tank.

[Fldivebum]

As you can see in the pics, the bulkheads have little to no fiberglass covering the side facing the tank. Due to no coatings, they are rotted enough for me to push my finger through. I removed some of the foam along the sides today and upon closer inspection, most of the wood in the stringers and bulkheads on sides are 75%-90% gone. Most of the joints were not glassed properly. Large gaps that allowed water and moisture into the wood core. Most of the fiberglass tabs are poorly layed out. Some appear to not have enough resin (dried out) or was left with large wrinkles in the glass not sealing core material. I am not happy with the way it all looks. However, it will all be reworked correctly when I replace all the bad material.

[Redloon]

I had a 1984 Wellcraft 180 Fisherman and saw the same thing with the bulkheads next to the hull sides - parts of the plywood was not covered with fiberglass leading to rotting wood. It appears that taking a shortcut or just poor workmanship was a common mode of operation back then.

Thanks for the picture of the hull with top cap removed. How did you get the cap off - forklift or other means?

[bradford]

Glad mine doesnt have any foam.

I had an 18 with those same problems.

[3 Squids]

Originally Posted by Fldivebum

1978 V20 hull with cap removed.

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.

[Redloon]

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).

[Fldivebum]

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.

[Fldivebum]

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