TOPIC: Seperating deck from hull???

How do you get the deck off/ Sawsall, flatbar....

If there is a rub rail, remove the insert to get access to the fasteners. If riveted, drill them out. If screwed or bolted together, remove them mechanically.

The joint on most boats will be either a shoebox construction or a sandwich joint



If the inside of the seam is glassed over, it is most likely a singly ply of cloth "tape". It will probably peel right off if you can get it started.

In the event the hull and deck are bonded together at the seam with polyurethane goo, a heat gun and a stiff putty knife can break the seal effectively (but tediously)

If you attach a close up of the joint, it'll be helpful.

Joe, I can't tell if you have the rub rail off. Is it shoebox design (deck fits over the hull)? Is the inside of the deck/hull seam fiberglassed?

My deck was glassed to the hull. For the most part I used and old wood chisel and systematically went around the inside and separated it like that. For the transom I used an angle grinder with a cut off wheel. For the finale, both a medium and a big crowbar came in real handy. Basically, it's just work!

Good luck.

Frank

I think after further evaluation I'll have to go the angle grinder w/cut off wheel route.

My question is"why"? Why do you need to remove it? Taking it off and putting it back on are both a royal PITA. If it's not leaking or causing some other problem you would be better off just leaving it alone.

To make it easier to work on. I can get in the bow and flip it to do bottom.

it looks like a shoe box in the pic,but im not sure,if it had been the sanwich style,you could use an air powered body saw,its basicly a small recipricating saw,but watch it doesnt get away from you,john

How about some photos of the boat... some just pop off others like bass boats can be He11 to get apart. as ever one here is saying. if you can ever get her to start cracking open then pressure and pulling will most often get them to let go. There will always be a hang up some where like molded seats that are glasses to the floor and such.