1980 proline deck construction?

[bmmc]

1980 20'center console has soft spots in deck & rotten transom.don't know about stringers yet as we are having a problem removing the top shell from the hull.all trim & screws are removed.we have constructed a jig to lift the shell evenly.are the two glassed together in places?bob did mention bonding putty between deck & stringers.any advice on seperating the two halves without tearing anything up would be greatly appreciated.

[brad1951]

If you have not already you will have to cut the bonding joint deck to hull at the transom. Also make sure the ancher/rode locker is not glassed deck to hull.While your plan to lift the deck evenly is sound on paper the reality of it is that break the bond of the putty you will need to start at the bow and peel the deck up.A couple of 20 ton bottel jacks stratigicly located under the deck will help get the bond to start the seperation. I have done this several times on warranty boats at the factory. Dont try to hurry .

[bmmc]

we finally got the two halfs seperated following your advice using jacks starting from the bow.that bonding putty is tough stuff.where can i buy it?george

[brad1951]

George im glad you got her apart. Hope you did it without too many stress cracks. We actually have upgraded the putty since your boat was built, what we use now is much tougher stuff. Im not sure it is available to the consummer or only builders. I will try to get you some info on the availibility to you in less that builder quanitys. It is called polybond and comes from arjay manufacturing.

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