Re-arranging things

[RTB]

I'm considering moving the galley cooker, and sink, in order to make room for a chart table. It would mean a fair bit of re-arranging of existing fixtures i.e ripping out and re-installing, so my questions are;
How easy is it to remove 30 year old attachments to GRP hulls without having to re-build the hull ?
and How easy is it to re-attach them elsewhere ?
I have basic home DIY skills but I'm more the master of none, than the Jack of all trades.
As previously, all help / suggestions gratefully accepted


Ssgoodthis....intit?

 

[Strathglass]

It is fairly easy to remove the internal structure on a grp boat.
The quickest tool to use is a 115mm grinder with a diamond tile cutting blade (about £3) You can use cutting disks but they wear away. Use a face mask as well. Cut about 1/2" from the hull and you can clean things up once everything is out the road.
Be careful that you are not removing things that go all the way up to the deck or all rhe way across the hull.

It is fairly easy to rebuild using either ply or other more exotic materials epoxied in position with grp tape.
One of the main things is to set the hull level before starting.

You adjust the boat such that any vertical or horizontal fittings such as bunk ends table tops INSIDE the hull are level. Then when you build a new structure inside it is easier to make it parallel with the rest of the inside of the craft.
In other words any changes you make must match the angles of your existing interior. Whether the hull itself is level is a bit academic.

Iain

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Ross,

I did this a few years back on a 28 footer. No small task, lots of mess and hours of work that won't be recovered fully in the resale value down the track.

Having said that: You need to have a good look first to make sure you are not removing any 'structural' sections, look for oversize or thick sections of timber or ply as an indication. As noted on Iain's post, don't remove items that hold the deck up or support the hull shape as do bunk sides in a lot of yachts this size with fixed keels.

Cutting out the old to be relocated can be a bit tricky, as access to make the cut can be limited resulting in sections rather one unit, have you considered rebuilding the galley?

Will this work include relocating some skin fittings?

Happy to supply more detailed information if required

Hope this helps

Avagoodweekend Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif

 

[30boat]

I did that on a 30 footer ten or so years back and again last year but to a lesser extent on my W.Fulmar . It is not really difficult but it can be very unpleasent if you choose to use a grinder.I have used a big good quality wood chisel and mallet to peel the layers of fiberglass away.It takes longer but it is a very clean technique and you don't have to wear protective clothing.The chisel leaves a good surface for subsequent bonding and although it may seem very slow at first it allows for very good control.It works so well that I never use my grinder for cleaning fiberglass these days.
As was said before be carefull about structural bulkheads.If you intend to remove any of these consider doing it with the boat in the water where it is supported more evenly.That's what I always did and never had a problem.

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Tools for the job

As has been said, angle grinders raise a hell of a lot of dust.
I found that a Black & Decker Aligator is a superb tool for the job. It will start a cut without having to drill pilot holes, cut close to the hull and you can use a metal cutting blade to get through screws.