1989 donzi ragazza 25' cap removal stringer repair questions

[Blackbird8907]

hey guys and gals,

new here, been doing a lot of searching the last couple days as i segment into this new project and just wanted to see if i could get some more info. So the story is, as many go it seems, that i got the boat for a good price knowing it needed to be re powered. since it was bought from a friend, in what we'll refer to as a liquidation sale, i didn't go over the boat as i would have in a normal outside party purchase... Needless to say, there is extensive water damage in all of the stringers, we started cutting in the cabin area and worked our way back towards the cockpit... still rotted. The transom seems to be in good shape along with the motor mount area but time and more cutting will tell. Either way, the topic I'm looking for more info on is the removal of the cap to get to those stringers. i know this may not be the best boat in the world but i like the style and the amenities for the size and i fear running into a similar issue on a future purchase. i also really want to use this as a learning experience and will take pride and comfort in recycling this boat rather then condemning it. anyways, from the look of things and the research I've done it looks like the deck area and cap are all one piece, as well as the integrated swim platform. if that is the case, it will be nice to lift it out as one piece and not cut the deck as it appears to be just fiberglass and in really good shape. Ive tried searching the forum for pictures of a cap removal on a similar boat structure with out any luck, its possible however I'm using improper terminology. I also would like to know, when removing the cap with the deck, if there is usually any glue attaching the deck to the stringers or it just simply rests on them and some foam as support. Sorry for all of the questions on the first day, thanks in advance for your time and responses

mike

 

[chconger]

Welcome!!


Please post images....

Also;

"...... fear running into a similar issue on a future purchase. i also really want to use this as a learning experience....."

First thought is that a 25 foot boat is too big to practice on. This work is measured in years; 25 feet is the job you do when you know its the boat you want for a long time.

 

[Blackbird8907]

sry i definitely didnt use my words correctly there. what i meant was that if in fact i did discard of this boat rather than restore it, id be afraid of what ever boat i got in place of this one would just have the same issues. sort of like "better the devil you know than the one you dont". I definitely plan to keep this boat for a long time after this kind of surgery.

here's some of the pics ive taken so far..

 

[chconger]

Clearly everything wood is gone.

Not sure if that cap is also glued on. You will need a overhead support for the cap to lift it off.

Deck can be stapled or screwed to the stringers...either way its all got to come out.

...And it needs to be repowered you say.

Lots of great folks here to help and support along the way. But for now my advise is to be aware just how big and expensive this will be.

Cheers
Chris

 

[Blackbird8907]

I have a fair idea of what I'm getting myself into, at least I think I do lol. I have already sourced the engine, a friend has a rebuilt small block with only a few hours on it, he finished it then found an awesome deal on two crate engines with warranties so he went that route and he's only looking for 1g. As far as the drive goes... It is a cobra but I'm told it's in good shape.. Time will tell on that too but fingers crossed. Either way, I'd rather put my time and money into something I know will be mint when done rather than put it towards another boat that's "Mint", this way at least I'm absolutely certain that from the ground up she's solid and dry! Thanks again for your time so far, looking forward to really digging into this project and documenting it along the way! Might try to get those supports done this weekend. I'm thinking I'll need two of them for a cap that size.

Thanks again,
Mike

 

[chconger]

"...I'd rather put my time and money into something I know will be mint when done rather than put it towards another boat that's "Mint", this way at least I'm absolutely certain that from the ground up she's solid and dry..."


Yup, that's right for sure. OK nuff said.

Best of luck. Looking forward to watching this come together

Cheers
Chris

 

[Mark72233]

Blackbird, you have certainly jumped into a huge project but that is a nice looking boat and definitely worth the effort. Good luck with it and I will be tagging along.

 

[Blackbird8907]

Well I got half of the frame thing built to hoist the cap up I'll post some pics later, my phone won't let me:-/. Anyways I also looked a little harder at the deck area where I thought it joined the cap.... I feel quite dumb but I suppose that's part of Learning, they are two separate pieces. However the deck lip seems to rise up and go underneath the cap where it molds over from the swim platform. The deck is in really good shape and from what I can tell so far looks like just glass but now I'm not as certain as I was at first. I don't really want to cut the deck if I can avoid it since it looks in great shape and has the nice no slip finish. I also wonder if I can get the kitchenette and bathroom wall out through the cuddy door. With all of these things and also the fact that I bought all that wood to build the hoist structure, I'm still considering pulling the cap but I wanted some insight from the vets on here first. I'm also concerned about what kind of structure might be under the swim platform and if wood, I may be better replacing it to cover all corners as I'm really going for a full restore here, I got interrupted like 5 times during this post, hopefully it makes sense, sry about that.
Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

[Blackbird8907]

ok sry for the sideways pictures, whould of edited them before i uploaded them. the vertical boards are 3 2x8x10 wood screwed and carriage bolted, their going to have 5 carriage bolts in each corner. the top is a single 2x10x10. im going to have one for the front and one for the back, should be sufficient. ill post more pics later of the deck area and hopefully get some ideas from you guys.
thanks again,
mike

 

[Woodonglass]

It appears from one of the pics that you have a balsa cored hull. That could be problematic on the "Go Back"!!!

 

[gm280]

WOW, such an ambitious project boat for somebody that has never ever done this before. I'm not trying to discourage you, but you seriously need to know, you are in for lots and lots and even more lots of long hours of dirty, messy, smelly, itchy, sweaty months upon months of work. And that isn't counting the funds involved either. HOWEVER, if you are serious, you came to the best place on the planet for extremely great assistance... So, if you are serious and ready, post those pictures...

 

[Blackbird8907]

I'm ready to beat the odds lol.. I've helped my buddy make a California skiff from scratch so I'm not completely in the dark on this stuff but it will definitely be my first big project. I'm a very hands on person and mostly do automotive but I try not to limit myself, because with a will and a awesome community backing you, it's pretty amazing what one can accomplish! Aside from that I've pretty much have no choice at This point, it's either try and fix it or just scrap it, so I want to save her.. Running some errands then digging back in, I'll have more pics up later!!

Thanks again for the continued support!
Mike

 

[Blackbird8907]

soooo looks like if I cut along the hull on the sides where the deck comes up it would be just glass and the easiest to put back as one piece.. the last couple pictures show how the rear swim platform and little door way come over the molded deck section, it probably over laps it by about 4 inches or so. just looking for input on weather or not it would be worth it to me to pull the cap or just leave it, keep in mind I already have all the wood for the hoist structure in order to pull the cap, and one of them already built.. looking for the most correct plan of action here. I don't want to take any shortcuts, however I want to make sure im not making extra work for my self. I was hoping to get a little more out tonight but the sun did that setting thing.. let me know if you guys need more pictures or explanation of pictures above to help me put a plan together!
thanks again
mike

 

[Blackbird8907]

Quick update, don't have much for pictures but I got the deck cut along the hull on both sides and it seems to be floating on the stringers as I had thought. All connections between the cap and hull have been removed, as well as the bow rail for clearance as I didn't give myself much room when I built my hoist structure. Next step is to pull the cap and get the deck out of there, I think I'll place the cap back on the hull once the deck is out to keep everything from flexing too far. Hopefully I'll have more updates this weekend, looking to get to those stringers!!

 

[hadaveha]

you have a whale of a job ahead of you, but man what a nice rig you will have when you are done. I love that boat ill be following along

 

[BillP]

Can you see the stringer to deck joint? It may pay to cut an inspection hole (one you can mount a hatch in). Proline told me they used 40 gals of epoxy matrix to glue the deck down on a 20 I used to have...and on their 21 walkaround. Pursuit also glues their 24 CC deck on box stringers. Those decks have to be cut away from the stringers. Donzi makes tough boats so you may have this situation too.

 

[Blackbird8907]

40 gallons to glue the deck down!? Yikes, after freeing up the sides from the hull what ever they did use (if anything) isn't holding on anymore.. I can grab the back corner of the deck and when lifting it it seems to be free all the way to the front. Just gotta lift this cap up and slide the deck out then I'll have a whole bunch of new pics for you guys! Hopefully tomorrow the deck will be out!

Mike

 

[Woodonglass]

Yeah, it's very doubtful on that style of boat, they did that kind of construction. You should be able to lift the cap without to much issue.

 

[Blackbird8907]

hey guys,

just a quick update, been crazy busy lately with no end in sight :-/.. got the cap up and the hull out from underneath. the deck was completely floating on the stringers but it was secured in the front by a bunch of screws behind the kitchenette that are only accessible once that is out. unfortunately I ran out of time (11pm, don't want the neighbors hating me this early in) and wasn't able to get the deck out as planned, and without the cap properly supported and no giant tarp I decided to just rest the cap back down on the hull temporarily until I remove the kitchenette. it really wasn't so bad, the cap came right off aside from some random broken screws (heads broke off body stayed), they took a little while to locate. :frusty:.. hopefully ill have some more soon

 

[Corjen1]

Cool build you have going here!!