Bass boat cap removal help needed

[FiberglassBass]

I'm restoring my 1988 Astroglass 178 bass boat and would like to know if anyone has advice on how to remove the cap at the transom. I got if off all arounnd except at the transom and stopped. I tried cutting between what I though was the cap at the transom, pictures of my progress are also here

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Bass boat cap removal help needed

the splash well is proberly glued to the transom. try to look in from underneath to see if thes signs of resin pressed out where the splash well touchs the transom. then it depends on how rotten the transom is to how easy it will be to get this piece off. i ended up having to cut the cap that covered the top of the transom where the splash well is and driving paint scrappers etc in the gap between the transom inner skin and the splash well (my transom was still fairly solid). see what you have before cutting anything as its best to cut something you plan to replace. from the biege pump put a paint scrapper against the transom and see if you can drive it up in the gap to make sure its glued there.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Bass boat cap removal help needed

Pretty much like G P of P said above...unfortunately, these are usually resined in when they are assembled at the factory...

If you have to you can cut the section of the cap I outlined in red, off, separate with the pry bars, etc...then when you are ready to put the cap back on, you can easily re-glass this piece back on...

 

[NWI Boater]

Re: Bass boat cap removal help needed

This is exactly the problem I have with my Glastron 175. The entire splashwell is glassed in on the interior of the boat and I cannot get to it in order to free up the cap.

A PO poured Seacast into the transom area, but failed to put the top back on correctly and then glassed it poorly as well. I honestly don't know how I'm going to get the cap off so I can fix the alignment properly, but am thinking of cutting the sides and back bottom of the splashwell so I can remove it and square everything up and get the top aligned again. I feel I have to get the top off to do it correctly. You can see I've tried to cut exactly where you are planning to, but had no luck in freeing things up because it is glassed underneath AND the Seacast has bonded to the inner skin.

I've been told almost anything can be fixed with new fiberglass, so I may just attempt cutting away at the splashwell.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Bass boat cap removal help needed

This is exactly the problem I have with my Glastron 175. The entire splashwell is glassed in on the interior of the boat and I cannot get to it in order to free up the cap.

A PO poured Seacast into the transom area, but failed to put the top back on correctly and then glassed it poorly as well. I honestly don't know how I'm going to get the cap off so I can fix the alignment properly, but am thinking of cutting the sides and back bottom of the splashwell so I can remove it and square everything up and get the top aligned again. I feel I have to get the top off to do it correctly. You can see I've tried to cut exactly where you are planning to, but had no luck in freeing things up because it is glassed underneath AND the Seacast has bonded to the inner skin.

I've been told almost anything can be fixed with new fiberglass, so I may just attempt cutting away at the splashwell.

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Not sure what you mean by the cap not being aligned properly, but if what you are talking about is the third picture...

You can build up some layers of fiberglass to even out the joint, and fair in the repair...But, if you are also doing a restoration and trying to remove the cap...

Then, yes, unfortunately if the transom was poured sea-cast, that will tend to bond everything together, but you may still be able to separate the inner transom skin by using some prybars or putty knives, etc., although maybe not in one piece...sometimes you just have to get creative...but don't worry...

You are correct in the fact that if it is fiberglass to begin with, anything can be repaired with fiberglass...plus with the amount of helpful guys here...you can get it done...

I do suggest that if you are tackling this problem, you start your own thread here in the restoration section of the forum, and you can get a lot of help from the guys here...if you have already started your own thread, add it to your signature, so we can get caught up with it...

Hope this helps,
GT1M

 

[redfury]

Re: Bass boat cap removal help needed

In regards to removing the rear part of the cap of a boat, it's going to vary depending on manufacturer. However, for the most part you are going to find that they will have used "peanut butter" to fill in and bond the void between the transom and the upper half of the boat. If you can't see up along the transom from the inside, use your digital camer and start taking flash on pictures to see what you are dealing with. If you can't see a tab of fiberglass between the inside of the cap and the inner transom, then you are simply glued and screwed.

What got mine off was taking a jack with some scrap pieces of 3/4ths plywood and putting pressure on the cap. Not a lot, just upward pressure. Then I took my saw and started to work that seam. It eventually started to show movement, so a little extra pressure and a little more chiseling and work with the saw freed mine up. Honestly, I think I'm more worried about putting the cap back on as well as the factory did. I plan to have that well planned out when I do, so I should be in good shape.

 

[NWI Boater]

Re: Bass boat cap removal help needed

Not sure what you mean by the cap not being aligned properly, but if what you are talking about is the third picture...

Yes, that is exactly what I'm talking about.

I have my own thread started and have added the link to my sig. Would love to get your input and don't mean to hijack the OP's thread here.