Converting a Race Boat into a pleasure Boat

[2TR]

Things may change seeing as I now have 4 person canopy mold, but either way the single F-16 lid had to be removed and the tube widened 7 inches on each side to allow enough room for a side by side configuration.

[2TR]

SteP1 START CUTTING..

[2TR]

Once everything was cut clear we removed the F-16 Canopy, It was pretty heavy - I was a little surprised.

[2TR]

[2TR]

I'm really shocked how thick this hull/deck is.. In some areas it's 1 1/2- 1 3/4

[2TR]

The boat is scary solid ! Oh' and I have 2 80 gal fuel tanks for those 500 mile offshore races.

[2TR]

Next we removed all the rigging and cut the lip back to exposed the tube completely

[2TR]

The fuel tanks actually sit 2 inch's higher than the bottom of the floor, so this will require us to build a "sub floor" witch will not be so bad because I can run all the rigging under it

[2TR]

All this work was done on Sunday (8hrs) so I feel we got a pretty good jump on the project, but with work and another race boat this is going to take a while.

Once I rebuild a larger tub I'll look into the 4 person skater canopy I have, If I feel it cannot be attached safely and securely I will attach a fairing I have off another cat and graft that in.

[catastrophe]

Another great build project !!!!!!!!!!!!

[ufix1]

Cool!! keep us posted

[VICIOUS]

Rick, I am glad you finally committed to that project, it was a long time comming !!

[VICIOUS]

That back room sure looks familiar !

[Ted]

Sparky! Long time, no see bud! Hope all is well.

Cool project Rick, amazing what you find once you start cutting into these things.

[2TR]

Last night after work I finished opening up the cockpit to the needed size.

[2TR]

I than "mocked up" some cardboard to the angles I would like the windscreen or canopy lid if I go that route.

[2TR]

after placing a couple 2x4 across the opening to give my seats a flat surface to sit on I'll start setting seat height and position

[Dude! Sweet!]

Can I just say BOOOOO! And good luck! Looks like it's coming along nicely.

[thedonz]

[Sean H]

cuttin' apart boats is fun!