GA Boater, I was getting frustrated with the shift lever, knowing it couldn't be rocket science to get it off, lol! It's always something simple!
This is a pretty complicated boat for its size, in terms of the pieces and how they were put together. It is pretty clear that the pieces I am having a hard time with were put in last. The upper and lower halves were put together after the deck was in. There is a very heavy layer of glass tabbing on the inside of the upper / lower seam. The white glass around the engine compartment was put in with the deck, before the top was installed. I can tell this or assume this because there is a gel-coat or paint was that was sprayed over all of the tabbing and interior of the hull as a final finish. This was done prior to the pieces I am having difficulty with being installed. Its apparent, since the tabbing for the problemed pieces doesn't have the finish on them. This was to allow access to the bow area and sides for tabbing the deck in....I'm guessing.
On most boats this old I would question this as a later repair, but it is pretty apparent that this one hasn't been touched since the factory. I thought about splitting the hull, I would still have to get these panels out to access the tabbing for the two hull halves. They put a lot of thought into putting it together, but none into taking it apart! I don't think I would have either! I can say it does look like a well thought out boat, someone spent some time thinking through the design.
