complete deck and transom re-build

[Dale Hall]

I am interested on anyone's oppinion on a full rebuild of a '73 sf20. I would like to rebuild so the whole boat has one level floor from transom to bow.I would like to cut the origional liner at the top of the rod holder area(aprox 3.5 inches from the top of the gunnals) around the whole boat, gut it and start from there.I want the most space I can get so I will fill in the transom cutout and install a bracket.I plan on doing the transom from inside because I want the level deck.Anybody see a problem with this?Any advice?I plan to have the look of a boat with no liner just a floor.Will the topsides sag because there is no liner? Come on boys tell me what you think. I will replace what needs to be done as I go. Thanks Occupational Hazzard

[FELLOW-SHIP]

I also considered a totally flat deck but decided against it when I did my 23’. I re did the entire deck and the transom and removed the cap to re do it from the inside. I also re did the transom from the inside as like you are considering. You can look at some of the pictures under Ken Mcgovern 23’ and also the finished pictures under general/fellowship pics. I decided not to do a flat deck for a few reasons one of those reasons is I liked the amount of below deck space on the original design of the 23’ and another was the amount of work it would take for the re design and dealing with deck hatches that were big enough and would not leak. I have one major concern about your re do project and that is where you are planning to cut for doing your deck. I cut the deck about 1” away from the liner to remove the top layer of glass to do the deck. I see no advantage to removing the liner, the amount of space you would gain is very little plus the amount of fiberglass work to cosmetically finish the ruff fiberglass work under the liner, and the structural stiffness of the hull could also be another problem. The cap is screwed through both layers of the outer hull and the liner by removing the structural stiffness of the liner you could have problems with the cap flopping around with the waves this boat would hit while running 20-30 MPH through them. The liner does help in providing stiffness all through the hull another problem could be in cracking that could occur at the deck where the outer hull and the deck connect because of the additional flex to the hull and deck connection you could have cracking all around the deck and hull.
Well enough said if you are that ambitious remove the cap, then separate the hull from the inner liner get a block and tackle or a crane and remove the liner & deck flip it over and work form the inside or underside of the deck/liner at the same time you could flatten the deck and check the entire bottom of the hull, stringers, tank, etc. By doing it the right way it would not take you any more time and would look and ride a lot better.
Fellow-Ship [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[JohnC]

I am about to begin a 20 CC project that includes converting to a single level deck as well. My original plan was to do what you are talking about; I was inspired by the pics that Trayder posted. I have since decided that route seems like too much work and it makes since to leave as much of the original liner as I can. That will significantly cut the amount of glass work and keep most of the structural benefits that the liner adds. I too would prefer to have a gunnell cap and toe space under it when I stand against the side to fight a fish. The space between the liner and the hull is pretty small from the console back and at the very front so the advantage would be negligible. I will probably just install combing bolsters and call it a day. My "plan" is to remove the liner and flip it over so I can use a circular to remove the forward casting deck and the aft splashwell/storage. When I glass in the new deck I can add reinforcement under the deck around the areas where I want deck hatches. The forward compartment below the casting deck is molded to fit between the stringers and would be a great start to a forward below deck fish box.

[ September 25, 2002, 09:31 PM: Message edited by: JohnC ]

[Dale Hall]

What about you Trayder?.......What do you think?

O.H.