removing hardware is hard! hellllpppp!

[QuickMick]

These two hurricane boats ive been stripping for parts have a lot of good usable stuff... the problem im running into is removing the mounting plates... ie on the ~ 8" cleat, i pull the bolts and the cleat no problem, but on the mounting plate, there is some type of adhesive to the hull that is problematic.

also, on the Hunter i'm scavanging the port hatch in the head is in fine shape, but even after screw removal i cant seem to pry the stinker off and dont want to apply so much force as to break it.

are there any type of solvents i can use to soften this up? or any tricks that might help me?

i appreciate your help,
Quinn

[timebandit]

A guitar string between two pieces of Dowling make a good flexible saw for cutting through sealant.

[catamount]

For the Backing Plates, I would use an chisel and a big hammer -- they may be epoxied in place. You could try heating them a bit with a propane torch and then the chisel to break them loose from the underside of the deck. Or just leave them -- it's the hardware on top of the deck that is most valuable, people buying this stuff can likely make their own backing plates!

Regarding a solvent for the hatch sealant, you could try Boat Life's "Release."

[badsanta]

If your trashing the rest of the boat, I would try a chainsaw and a mask.

[KeelHaulin]

These boats are owned by you or are in a boat junk yard, correct? I mean we are not helping you to scavenge parts/pieces from boats that might have owners, correct? If you are stripping parts from a wreck please be sure that you have the right to do so; otherwise you could be considered a "looter".

[mitiempo]

If you have the right to remove hardware and the boat is really junk use either a jigsaw, sawzall, or as mentioned chainsaw to cut around the hardware and do the detail cleaning at home. Wear eye protection.
Brian

[Capnblu]

Thin wide screwdriver, tap in lightly, fish fillet knife, slice a little, gently insert thin wide screwdriver a little further, back and forth working slowly. I have also used a piano wire, and pulled if you have access to get it through. If you are dealing with butyl, use regular paint thinner to soften the butyl and lubricate your fillet knife, or piano wire. just go slow with the prying, or you will find yourself with a pile of bent junk.

[CharlieCobra]

A multimaster with plunge blade will help if the boat is junk.

[fpr]

Sorry Quinn,
Couldn't answer your PM 'cause I don't post 'enuf' for the powers that be....

The answers are right on.... you'll need many different techniques to strip the boats. Every bedding compound will require a different attack method.

My favorate tool combo is a razor sharp 2 inch wide chisel and a 20 ounce hammer.
Patience and educated blows will separate just about everything;
Except stuff like 5200....
That s--t is designed to be forever....cut it with a metal SawsAll blade.

Cleats, chocks, bow rollers, stanchion bases, chain plates etc. are pretty tough.... if you want to break one you couldn't....

Remember these hulls are scrap and you'll probably not be able to save everything.

I never ran into anything I couldn't remove with sweat or a SawsAll...

fred

[tager]

I think if you get a good industrial paint stripper it will melt just about any polymer. Wear respiratory protection.