92 Tracker Magna 17 Fish, floor replacement, hull repair

[jwiel]

Hi everyone
With some extra time on my hands, I started this project that I have been wanting to do for years.
Floor has been removed. The void in the bottom is where the internal fuel tank used to be. My plan is to install a new plywood floor, topped with marine vinyl and added storage lid to access the void where my portable fuel tank will be.
The foam flotation was wet on the bottom near the stern but I think it's mostly ok. Is full replacement of the foam necessary?
The eye hook has been removed on the bow and is ready to be professionally welded on Wednesday to repair the tear from bouncing on the trailer due to a broken winch.
I also have several rivets missng and a hairline fracture (I think) along the bottom of the V that was welded many years ago. I was told that if it needed to be done again, the floatation in the bow would need to be removed because the heat from welding could cause it to ignite. The problem is the aluminum cover on top of the foam in the bow. It is riveted through. How can I remove it without compromising those rivets?
I plan to put water in it tonight to see where all the leaks are for sure. I will post pics of the outside of the hull tonight as well.

 

[LDUBS]

The problem is the aluminum cover on top of the foam in the bow. It is riveted through. How can I remove it without compromising those rivets?

Do you mean the part in the last pic under the wire loom & where the seat base is? If the rivets are through framing then I would drill them out and use pop rivets or screws to reattach. If through the hull, then I would be hesitant because replacing solid rivets is something I have never done. So, I would defer to someone with a lot more knowledge than I have. Sorry I couldn't really help.

Anyway, that is a nice boat. Looks like it had a massive gaso tank. The storage you gain with your remodel will be really nice to have. What size portable tank will you use? I have a 12 gal portable tank. I would say it is portable when empty but not so portable when full. Haha. BTW, I have vinyl on top of ply in my boat and love it.

 

[jwiel]

Thanks for the reply LDUBS.
it was a massive tank (96 litres). My portable is 25 litres so the extra space will be great.
I got braver tonight and removed the last section of the front deck. Pics attached.
I do see now that I will be able to remove the thin piece of aluminum covering the floatation in the bow without compromising the rivets through the hull. My issue is how to get the last piece of plywood out. It looks like I would have to remove the aluminum channel framing to do it right. Ugh.
I've also included a pic of the outside of the bow. 2 rivets missing and many others loose. Grinded off the 3M 5200 that was coated on them. You can see the previous weld as well.
Any other suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jwiel]

Removed the framing from the bow.
A couple really interesting things I discovered:
1. The foam did not fill the whole hull cavity as it was likely intended to be. A piece of matching carpet was attached to the foam, all jumbled up.
2. There were 2 pieces of 2x4 green treated lumber under the battery box (to give it added strength, I presume) but I can't imagine they were factory installed.
3. There was no weld down the middle. There will be tomorrow.

 

[Jim]

The boat will be sharp when complete.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LDUBS]

Whether it is fixing up a boat, car, house, or whatever we all have had to deal with the other guy's shortcuts.

That is a nice rig. I look forward to watching you bring it back to life.

 

[jwiel]

Welding completed.
Only the outside was done as he recommended that I epoxy the inside. I will do that with gluvit.
Two more things to deal with:
Trim button broke on the shifter so I'm looking for a replacement shifter with the button and wiring as my shifter has already been 'fixed' with 5200 several times and needs to go.
My fuel tank is 2 inches too high when resting on the floor where the old internal tank used to be. It seems all the new plastic fuel tanks are the same height. Any suggestions?