1975 omega jet 455 olds needs new stringers, floor, and everthing else! HELP!!

[joeyconte]

hi guys i was hoping somebody could help me out with the floor removal process. we got a 21.5 ft omega jet and its in need of a rebuild. the engine is perfect just needs to be refiber glassed with new stringers and a reinforced engine mount. water has gotten in a rotted it out completely. i have cut away most of the floor but am scared to cut to close to the hull. how do i remove the fiberglassed floor from the hull without damaging the hull?? after i remove all the stringers and floor i want to re-fiberglass the hull. i realize that i need to sand/grind it down as smooth as possible for the new fiberglass and stringers to bond correctly. i will post some pictures of my progress soon to give a better understanding of what i need to do. if anyone can help i would be much appriciated thanks.

-joey

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1975 omega jet 455 olds needs new stringers, floor, and everthing else! HELP!!

Use a 4 inch grinder with a cutting wheel. Score the glass at the edge of the wood. Cut near stringers with a jigsaw or a circular saw.Pry up and it will break at the score If it dont score a little deeper. Fastest safe way I have found. Post up some pics we jones for new projects

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1975 omega jet 455 olds needs new stringers, floor, and everthing else! HELP!!

You can set your cutting depth with a circular saw and when it doubt set it for even more shallow.

A good flapper disc for your angle grinder is a great tool too.

Consider epoxy for your engine mounts just for the strenght it provides.

 

[joeyconte]

Re: 1975 omega jet 455 olds needs new stringers, floor, and everthing else! HELP!!

Thanks guys going to home depot. Ill post pictures sometime tonight

-Joey

 

[joeyconte]

Re: 1975 omega jet 455 olds needs new stringers, floor, and everthing else! HELP!!

here are some picture any advice would really help. im a first timer, but my grandfather is supervising me and he replace this floor 25 years ago we just want to do it right this time. i hope these pics help if there is anything that i should take a pic of let me know.

thanks,
-Joey

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1975 omega jet 455 olds needs new stringers, floor, and everthing else! HELP!!

Looks to be going great. Score the glass at the edge of the wood. Pry up on the loose end it should snap off. Grind down the burrs left and clean the hull 6 to 8 inches back to tab in the new floor. I found Everglass or Bondo hair put down for the peanut butter people use hear to save me a load of time and costs less. Put up some pics of that hull, maybe Ill get off my duster and fix my Sidewinder shes a 18 foot jet with the 455 olds

 

[joeyconte]

Re: 1975 omega jet 455 olds needs new stringers, floor, and everthing else! HELP!!

thanks guys been working on it all day. scoring the fiberglass is tough but effective. still got to finish ripping out the floor underneath the bow. its tough under there because of the poor ventilation. i got a 3m mask with respirator, i found it in the paint section at home depot. is that the right mask? it was 20 bucks. one question, do i need to lift the engine out before i cut away at the rear floor? trying to keep it in because i don't have a lift. for now ill leave that for last and start grinding down the left over burrs. thanks guys cant do this without the help. my grandfather is getting to the age were he cant do the work so this has been very educational thanks! any suggestions for future moves please share ill take more pictures soon.

-Joey

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1975 omega jet 455 olds needs new stringers, floor, and everthing else! HELP!!

Did you check to make sure the wood under the engine mounts was good? If it is you can leave the engine in place. How is the transom? If your going to have to rework it you will have to pull the engine. Dont try to get the grate out of the floor of this boat unless you have to. Ive seen to many broke and they are hard to find.

 

[craigman]

Re: 1975 omega jet 455 olds needs new stringers, floor, and everthing else! HELP!!

Any updates?
Also i'd like to see some pics of the boat. I'm looking at a 23' to buy.
Doesn't seem to be much info on the Omega boats.
Keep the progress going!

Craig