'69 Bahia Mar with Factory Hardtop

[DanielM]

Wil,

I do a fair amount of working on old houses and such with the DeWalt tool pictured. I think you’ll be surprised at how well the DeWalt performs vs. the Dremel. I have both, and the Dremel rarely leaves the tool box.

It is kind of a limited application tool, but where it is needed it shines. Also IDK if it has a much larger sweep then the Dremel, but my experience is that it gets the job done.

I seem to go through a lot of blades on the oscillating multi-tool though. So don’t be surprised by that.

Good luck with the project. You’re making a lot of progress.

[Oldcreek]

Well, good to know. I should've realized all tools are not equal.

I'll give my current plan a try and then move on if it doesn't pan out. Either way, the ply will need to be sectioned up in order to come off the ceiling.



That reminds me, speaking of tools, has anyone here used a gelcoat peeler? I remember seeing Bob H.'s Bahia taken down to green glass. Not sure how he did it. Not sure I need to but my decks are crap...

[Tony Meola]

When you say the decks are crap, if they are still in 3 sections, I would pull them and get them painted with non skid added. I had mine done about 6 years ago and they are still holding up great.

[Oldcreek]

I meant the foredeck above the V-berth and the side decks/coaming, etc.

I'm gonna have to make my own cockpit decks, fish boxes, floors, etc...

[Tony Meola]

I have seen the bottom peeled, never the top sides. I am sure it can be done. But can you just grind out the cracks, fair everything out, give it a light sanding and paint. Might be easier to do.

[Ironworker]

I rebuilt my deck using 3/4" coosa bw26. It reduced the weight about about 40%. In hindsight, I probably could have used the 1/2" coosa and it would have been fine.

[S Ritzert]

On the multi tool, use a carbide cutting tool. My carbide cutting tool has lasted almost the entire project

For any grinding, use a carbide grinder instead of sand paper, You'll love that!