complete newb questions- deck, stringers, transom, etc

[GHBAY]

I have been in boats my whole life, but am about to embark on my first reno beyond small fiberglass patches. I have been lurking on here for a while reading all the incredibly informative threads, but I still have a lot of very basic preliminary questions.

The boat is a 16' Hunt. An amazing small deep v design by Raymond Hunt. I have spent many many hours in these boats, and particularly in the one I am taking possession of and fixing up. The hull itself is sound and just needs some minor scratch/gouge repair. The floor is a soft mess, and I figure if I am going to replace it, I would be silly not to do the stringers and transom.

So... first of the dumb questions. .. can I just cut out the floor section and leave the gunnels (which appear sound) intact? I have read a bit about removing the cap, but there is no clear seam or starting point to me.

Sorry for the overly broad questions, but figure ive gotta start somewhere.

To be clear, I am under no illusions about the amount of time and money this will take. But, I am committed to going down this path.

I have a couple bad photos that dont show much I will try to post, will be taking more this coming weekend
Thanks for any/all advice.

 

[bakerjw]

Re: complete newb questions- deck, stringers, transom, etc

Pictures will help.

A 16 footer is great! It means less feet to grind and sand! At least you know what you're up against going in to the restoration.

As for removing the cap, we can't tell more without pictures. Usually there is a bump rail that can be removed to allow the top and bottom halves to be split apart. But you might run into a situation like mine where the top half, called a liner, cap or tub, has been glued to the hull. In a case like that, you must cut out the floor to get it apart.

I am a proponent of splitting the cap as it gives better access in many cases. With pictures though, the experts here will be able to provide better guidance.

 

[GHBAY]

Re: complete newb questions- deck, stringers, transom, etc

 

[DAN M VAGOS]

Re: complete newb questions- deck, stringers, transom, etc

Looks like it will be a nice boat

 

[GHBAY]

Re: complete newb questions- deck, stringers, transom, etc

Looks like it will be a nice boat

I certainly hope so!

I also plan on reconfiguring it a bit. Have not decided if I want to close in the bow deck a bit and move the seats up, or open it right up and make it a center console. I have been in these boats in each configuration, and prefer both over this bow rider one it has now.

 

[GHBAY]

Re: complete newb questions- deck, stringers, transom, etc

Pictures will help.

A 16 footer is great! It means less feet to grind and sand! At least you know what you're up against going in to the restoration.

As for removing the cap, we can't tell more without pictures. Usually there is a bump rail that can be removed to allow the top and bottom halves to be split apart. But you might run into a situation like mine where the top half, called a liner, cap or tub, has been glued to the hull. In a case like that, you must cut out the floor to get it apart.

I am a proponent of splitting the cap as it gives better access in many cases. With pictures though, the experts here will be able to provide better guidance.

Thought I responded to this, I guess not. I think you hit my first challenge right on the head- it appears to be completely sealed. The rub ail is not hiding the seam. In a case like this, do I just cut it out at the floor, and cut back the stern deck ( which seems unnecessarily deep) to get at the stringers and transom? Just leaving the gunnels intact and just removing the canopy snaps, patch and paint those areas?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: complete newb questions- deck, stringers, transom, etc

It seems that you could get to the floor and the stringers/bulkies without the removal of the cap.

Removing that cap might be harder than it looks. All OB boats with a splash well seem to be tricky when it comes to removing the cap.

Do what you can for now and we can go from there .

YD.

 

[bakerjw]

Re: complete newb questions- deck, stringers, transom, etc

I have a thread about my Stratos. I drew a line about 3" in from all sides of my floor and cut that out. It will all be replaced when I am done. But it gives you a chance to see how it is put together. The floor may extend all of the way to the hull. In my case, there was the inner surface of the cap and then the hull with a space between them. It was tough to work with.