Baja top cap removal

[splitshot]

i'm taking apart a 1975 Baja for a transom and stringer repair, this is my first...i have all the rivets drilled out and all the silicone sliced around the edge where the top cap meets the hull..but something around the splashwell has it stuck good (also have the thru hulls out of the splash well)...i even ran a flat blade under where the motor sits (on top of the transom) and still nothing...something tells me maybe the splashwell is fiberglassed on the inside to the transom maybe ?? i havent had time to check yet as it has been raining most of the day...i will try to look tomorrow but if anybody can help i appreciate it very much

 

[maxum247]

Re: Baja top cap removal

Fiberglass would be my first thought. Or maybe some silocone that you don't know about yet, that stuff can hold pretty good.

Tell me about the rain.

max!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Baja top cap removal

Can you get under any portion of the cap and start to lift it? Some people start at the bow and start to lift...... it may take a small amout of hammering and prying......

Yes it could be glassed inside too. Just take your time and recruit a few friends to help.

 

[splitshot]

Re: Baja top cap removal

alright i will post back what i find...i have went all the way around it (gently) with a razor blade and a small prybar its all loose except the splash well but i'll get it figured out.....thanks for the help i appreciate it alot !!

 

[splitshot]

Re: Baja top cap removal

Well i finally had time to mess with it...it finally quit raining and we were off from t-ball practice for a day..i found something all around the splash well it looked like grout for a tile floor in a house what was this stuff ??? i chipped and chipped it away only to find it was inbetween the splashwell and the transom too kinda like glue...so i had to cut the piece of the splash well that sits on top of the transom, under the motor bracket...i also got 2 pictures before my camera batteries dies again !!!

i believe if i let it sit in the sun for a few days the plywood will dry out right ?? lol just kidding it is pretty rotten

 

[maxum247]

Re: Baja top cap removal

It's gotta give sooner or later!

max!

 

[splitshot]

Re: Baja top cap removal

do i need to measure anything before i pull the top cap ?? or after to make sure the hull keeps its shape i plan on doing the transom while it is on the trailer, then i plan to do the floor ...also i'm a little confused about the balsa core ( i know what it is, just need to know where it is ) i am guessing it is the wood in the picture below, which is actually between the floor you walk on and the hull is this the balsa ??

 

[oops!]

Re: Baja top cap removal

i doubt that you have a balsa core........just start ripping.


the transom is rebuilt with the cap off........then the cap is replaced....(even just set back on).........and then the deck is ripped out and the stringers and deck are replaced.

if you dao it any other way, you must frinforce the hull so that the sides dont bow out.......they will naturally do that, and then when you put the cap back on, its like a tupperware lid thats too small.

make sure that the hull is supported and braced when you rip out the stringers, you could possibly develop a hook........(a hook is the worst thing that can happen )

read the hull ext thread for ideas.

cheers
oops

 

[splitshot]

Re: Baja top cap removal

ok i will do as you say...i have been reading the hull extention thread and let me tell you you do some impressive work..i'm thinking of using 1708 bi ax on the transom..how many layers on each side of the ply for the transom though ?? trying to figure out how many yards i need....would 5 yds and a gallon of poly resin be enough...i will measure tomorrow but its only a 16' speed boat thanks for any help i appreciate it