bow rails and fwd cabin area

TBonedad · Post by **TBonedad** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:02 am

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I need to re-bed and generally refurbish the bow rail stanchions on my boat. This involves gettin to the nuts underneath them, which involves pulling the "fur" lining the hull sides in the vee-berth .... You get the picture. Since I'm going to this much trouble, I intend go the next step and stop the nuisance (and potentially damaging) leaks around the cabin window frames. I know Syd recently did this. Any guidance would be appreciated. I will pass along any expertise I acquire in the process. Removing the window frames and windshield - I have accessed the bolts that fasten the window frames to the hull (haven't loosened them yet). The chromed, flat covers which follow the line of the windows (on the cabin overhead) pop off and the bolts are up in there (the nut-end. I assume they are secured inside the window frame because I can't find the heads. The flying bridge is bolted to flanges at the top of the window frames (maybe other places, too. I haven't thoroughly run that one to ground.) I may not technically need to loosen the bridge to re-bed the windows (it stands to reason that the leaks would be near the bottoms, where they are exposed to the weather.) Replacing the skylight hatch in forward cabin - I removed the old skylight and cleaned and sanded the lip where the new one will attach. After I backed out the screws holding the old, leaky hatch in place it became obvious that is there was ever any wood inside the hatch coaming it is now long gone. I plan to fill the voids with thickened epoxy and re-drill the holes. I temporarily re-attached the old skylight. (until the new one arrives and I get the prep-work done) Revoving the old shag carpet - This is a nasty, tedious job. I figure the old razor blade is the only way to remove the adhesive. Any one know of a solvent that will tackle this? I have the bulk of the junk removed but a few patches of hardened adhesive and even fewer patches of carpet still adhering. My dilemma is "what should I replace the carpet with?" I know a shorter knapp, indoor/outdoor type of carpet will work, but that's not a very "elegant" solution. I don't want to get too fancy, but somthing a little nicer than carpet seems in order. I also think I don't want to glue whatever material I use directly to the hull sides. My idea is to glass in wood strips, mount the cloth / carpet, whatever to a luan sheet, and attach it to the wood strips. I have fledgling ideas of installing some additional lighting (LEDs / accent lighting), adding some teak veneer to the aft cabin bulkhead, mounting an lcd TV, etc. I'll continue to pass along the progress. Meanwhile, I would love to hear ideas on how I might make this set of jobs easier or work smarter, and would especially like ideas on how to improve the forward cabin. Thanks in advance for feedback.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:31 am

Fraser... In a very near future I will also be starting work on my '83 FBC. I did not have a carpet problem.. the previous owner (doofus) had bought Bruce self adhesive imitation oak hardwood flooring strips from Home Depot and did the cabin and lower level floor with that. I have removed all of this, and will probably buy some inexpensive carpeting to put down for the next couple of years until I can get around to putting something permanent down. I also have to remove the fwd hatch. It does not leak as far as I can tell, but it was painted by someone years ago and the black paint is peeling badly. I want to strip off all the paint and will then decide what to do with it. I have to repair a lot of rot in my aft bulkhead. I will do this from the inside, and hope to keep the outside surface intact.. I am going to recover the interior of the cabin anyway, so working from the inside makes the most sense. Then, I will build all new cabinets.. Doofus hacked up the originals and never restored them. I will also be posting my progress here.. I asked our fearless leader how to post a lot of pictures and he said to send them to him and he will put a scrapbook type file together for me. You might want to do the same. Good luck, and I will look for some pics from you soon. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:10 am

PICS...PICS and more PICS, please!

rebel · Post by **rebel** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:07 am

my starboard side windsheld leaks like a sive I pulled the head liner down found the bolt holes looks like the water is leaking there ! let us know how much fun it is taking out the windsheld!!!!!!!! looks like that will be my spring project to.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:58 am

I'm thinking of getting one those fien multimaster tools for removing carpet. I used borrowed one from my yard this year and was amazed at what it could do. Its got a flat blade attachment that moves ever so slightlight and chewed a straigt cut into wood where I couldn't get the sawsall. It shoudl work well to separate the carpet from the hull. I'd love to see some pictuers too. Good Luck, John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

TBonedad · Post by **TBonedad** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:05 am

Fien Multimaster? I'll look it up. I have forgotten my digital camera the last several times I went down, but I promise I will get around to it. At this point the cabin is a wreck, but I'll show it all.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:06 am

I have used a Fein Multitool for three years as I did all the trim in my new house. In my opinion it is one of the best power tools I own. The attachments are expensive, but the tool is well made, and very versatile. Al (Nites Off) has one as well, and I know he feels as I do! I plan on doing exactly what John D is saying, but to remove the "mouse fur" covering the inside hull sides in the forepeak. Mine is dark and dingy, and I have not been able to find anything that will clean it. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC