Now that the weather has improved I got time to hot this project hard. In about 4 hours time I was able to remove the console from the boat entirely (all wiring cut, needed to be redone anyway, and used the grinder to slice through the steering cable, it was seized anyway, no loss)
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1235.jpg
Next I cut the outline of the deck with an 10 amp (yes, this is what you want, dont go cheap, you will regret it later) Dewalt angle grinder with a diamond multipurpose 4.5 wheel on it. I got lucky and began to tear up the deck at a soft spot, which yielded me much headway. I think I have a new mantra "rotten wood is a blessing in boat repair" or something to that effect. The only part that really gave me a difficult time was the few places of dry wood. It was rather enlightening when cutting up the deck to tear up parts that 'seemed' solid, only to discover rotting wood lying beneath. I also noticed something while tearing up the top deck, has anyone else noticed that the factory non skid seems to be a vinyl sticker?
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1344.jpg
The before
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1316.jpg
During
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1414.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1541.jpg
After
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1502.jpg
All in all it took me about an hour to take up the floor once I got into the swing of things. You will see in the last picture on the port side of the deck are the scraps. I didnt feel like loading them into the pickup to dispose of, and my console is still in the bed, Ill get to it as soon as I get the foam out.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1357.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1357.jpg
What I found odd about the foam was that it appeared to be two different types of foam. The one in thoes pictures seemed to have been added later on (judging by color and texture) but it would have been impossible due to the location and this being an origional deck. Well good news and bad news, not all the foam is wet, actually a lot of the origional foam seems to be good and dry, but Id like to remove it anyways just so I dont have any problems later on. I noticed when I was pulling up the deck that I may have taken the layer of mat up that was intended to encapsulate this foam in the stringer system. Has anyone else encountered exposed cuts in the top of their stringers (presumably to add foam)?
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1415.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1432.jpg
That sure is a lot of Potter Putty
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1541.jpg
Wires
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1431.jpg
Original deck thickness
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1503.jpg
Stringer cut and not reglassed. Clearance required for fuel hoses from tank to filler.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1442.jpg
I have been finding this stuff all throughout the boat. It to me seems to be east coast FL beach sand (corse, complete with small little shell fragments in all). There must be 20+ lbs in here. I wonder if that may be a sign of a boat that was sunk for a few days. Thats the only thing that I can think, there is no evidence otherwise though.
<a href="http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q231/ML32AMG/?action=view¤t=IMG00145-20110102-1541.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q231/ML32AMG/IMG00145-20110102-1541.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Beer time. Anyone want to wager a bet on the age of this can? Old Ill tell you that, look at the pop top, I found this down in the gunnel.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1439.jpg
When the boat is done she will be sporting this old gem that I found in the house. It is suppose to be yellow with a dark blue outline, sun faded.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...10102-1842.jpg
Thats all for now. Id appreciate any comments or suggestions.