Cut My Deck in Half

[ezuskin]

Sounds rather extreme. I have not been happy with the access to the engines on the 1982 3396 Mariner. The 2 hatches only give limited access and the main deck panel is impossible for one person and challenging for two and dangerously awkward to handle. I got the the courage to saw it in half yesterday and could not be happier as I now have 2 manageable sections I can move myself and I am surprised that it does not feel significantly weaker when I walk on it. I just need some white T moulding to fit between the 2 pieces.
My dock neighbors were definitiely surprised to see someone cutting up their boat.
Eddie

 

[Unknown]

Its amazing the things we Carver owners can do at some time or another, eh???

Kinda like the time I took the sledgehammer to my garden tractor. Didn't fix anything, but sure had fun !!!

 

[pdecat]

how about some pix???

 

[ezuskin]

hmmm...didn't think to bring the camera. The first cut takes the most courage as there is no turning back. My moderate bit of fiberglass experience has been with a 36 year old Lotus Europa. I had to cut large pieces of the underbody and learn how to splice new pieces in place. Most of my boat projects have been repairing oversized holes in wood and fiberglass and purposely making oversized holes to fill with epoxy then drill smaller holes for new hardware. This was definitely not a sledgehammer repair and it was also not delicate surgery. Just messy and I am thrilled when a simple solution solves a big problem without creating 2 or 3 new problems. My experience with making mods on a boat or car usually results in needing to solve problems created by the mod.
Eddie