Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

FLETCHER170

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Oct 6, 2010
Messages
23
Hi, Im new to the forum and really need some advice.

I stripped the insides of the boat today to fit new carpets and seats and found the transom is completely rotten. So I need to replace the wood.

Is the arrowbeau the same as the arrowflyte where under the rubber around the outside of the hull are screws? Is this the only thing attaching the cap?

Many thanks
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
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26,049
Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

Welcome to iboats.

Yes screws under the rubrail, sealant and sometimes fiberglass strips but cap removal is fairly simple.....just take your time.
 

FLETCHER170

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Oct 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

Thank you :)

I have have had two good seasons out the boat so I was expecting a bit of work this winter.
im sure im going to have many questions over the next few months.
 

FLETCHER170

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Oct 6, 2010
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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

Well I made a start this morning and have managed to remove all the screws apart from the ones in the front of the bow.
After reading some nightmare threads about removing the screws by drilling 16mm! holes all the way around.
I found the best way is to remove the wood strip from the inside of the boat , The screw's can then just be knocked out with a hammer.

It still takes time but im close to lifting the cap now, Hours wise what am I looking at to get the old wooden transom out and glassing in the new piece?

Is it ok to lie my 1979 Johnson 140 v4 on its side on the floor? if so does it matter what side?
 

Yacht Dr.

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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

I would not lay your OB on its side..

Prop down to the ground and shim it if needed.

Better off would be to make a stand if possible.

YD.
 

FLETCHER170

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Oct 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

Thanks,ill look into that today.

Im hoping to get the rear repaired, cap back on and new carpets and seats fitted along with painting the top. Is this a realistic goal to be done for the new season?
 

FLETCHER170

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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

Thanks for the link:D

Due to the size of my engine Johnson 140 I think i may just leave it suspended from my engine hoist.

Totall stripped the inside of the boat now, just a few screws left untill i can remove the cap. H

Hate seeing my boat like this :( Looks a real mess, just hope I can get it bacl together for the summer.

Any tips or hints for replacing the transom would be a great help, seems a huge job ahead of me
 

Yacht Dr.

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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

The first thing I would do ( and Im sure alot here would recomend ) is to Research as much as you can here on the forums. Get a mental Idea of what your going to do and which products your going to use.

Have a good understanding before you dive in :).

Good luck ..

YD.
 

wrecks1971

Seaman
Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
64
Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

And the second thing I would do is post some pics of your progress, we love to view the progress as it happens.
 

FLETCHER170

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Oct 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

Yeh going to put some pics up of the progress so far very soon.

I have removed all the screws now and the engine, ahe is about ready to be lifted off.

What is the best method for removing the cap, will their be any danger of damaging it from flexing ect?
 

Yacht Dr.

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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

There is allways danger :) ..

Just keep it from flexing as much as possible ( you never know what repair was done and were that you could stress out ).

YD.
 

FLETCHER170

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Oct 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

Got the cap off today using an engine hoist and all went well. Tomorrows job is to remove the floor and check the stringers.

Took plenty of pics today so will upload them soon.

So far its not been to bad at all, thought it would require allot more work to remove the cap.

Does anyone know if the arrowbeau had a large metal plate on the outside of the transom from the factory or has someone put it on later. Its an ugly looking thing and dont really want to put it back on if i dont have too.
 

FLETCHER170

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Oct 6, 2010
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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

What wood do people use for the transom and stringers?
 

FLETCHER170

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Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

would putting alot of extra glass over the stringers to reinforce them work intsead of changing the wood if they were a little damp/rotten. Surley the strenth is in the fibreglass and not the wood?
 

Yacht Dr.

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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

You cannot Bond to wet/damp wood.

So your basically asking if you can use the damp/semi-rotted wood as a mold for your glass stringers.

Its not a good practice. Its not really all that more time to cut and replace with good dry wood.

If water gets to particular location and freezes.. you could end up busting out your stringer tabs.

I wouldnt do it myself.

YD.
 

Woodonglass

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Dec 29, 2009
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25,928
Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

Most guys here on the forum fabricate their transoms and stringers out of Exterior grade Plywood. Coat em in resin, bed em in thickened resin (peanut butter) and encapsulate them in two layers of 1708 biax cloth and resin. Make sure to round the edges and fillet the bases. Cloth does NOT like square corners.

I'm just sayin...:D
 

FLETCHER170

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Oct 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

Thanks for the advice.:)

I have replaced the stringers now and glassed them in, along with the center floor.

Im ready to bond the transom in now, i cant afford to use epoxy as its very expenisve what other alternitives do i have?
 

Yacht Dr.

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Feb 26, 2005
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5,581
Re: Removing cap on Fletcher Arrowbeau 170

Did you use any Epoxy in your repairs ?

If not then the poly resin will work for you..

If you did use Epoxy..please let us know...you might be able to use VE.

YD.
 
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