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Take the engine off the boat. Make a support for the pad down the middle. I used 10x12x2 and two 2x4's to make a "U" shaped stand for the middle of the boat. Flip it over when built and set the boat on it. Then use a couple car jacks on the back wings with a small board and some carpet to brace for side to side stability. Also support the front with a wooden horse or something so the front is supported. Make sure the boat is level side to side. Next, start on the transom, if you are replacing it. Then I suggest removing the flooring and core in the back and nose, before starting the middle part. I find that it's fun to take out the middle, but it makes it harder to do the front and back without and support in the middle. Once you have it properly supported, you can remove all the core and do the stringers last. The strength of the stringers will be enough to keep the boat structurally straight, even with the core removed. I suggest doing the transom, since you are already down to a complete restore. It will last another 40 years. Just use Balsa again like was originally in the boat. A company called Express Composites will know exactly what supplies you will need and they ship in one day. They are very helpful, so don't be afraid to ask them plenty of questions. There may be a different place closer to you, but they ship so quick, I don't know that it matters. Also, there are plenty of re-core threads on this site. I suggest you search and find one the is similar to yours. Read a bunch of them. Everyone here does them a little different.

Good luck and you'll be glad you did it right. Even if it sets you back a boating season. When done, you will never have to worry about it again and will have a boat that will be capable of holding a big V6 without issues.

Bill

Thanks, I will work on the support boards, although my trailer is doing the trick for now. I removed the Engine, and plan on getting support in place prior to tearing out any core.

Nice Start - Keep up the good progress. Bill

As you guys told me, I found some transom goodies... and started to yank out the bench seat.. I am curious as to how complicated this will get if the core is also bad. Also, check out the pic of the bench seat.. when i got to the bottom of the foam.. I found some fiberglass that hasn't seen the light of day since 1976!! Since it's about 11:00pm, i guess it still hasn't seen day light..

Removing the bench was a chore, I took out 4 large trash bags of foam.. The wood was like paper..

Finally got the bench removed.. I have most of the floor removed, next to the transom. Any secrets to getting the balsa up without pulling up some glass? For the most part it is all coming up pretty easy, but some of it is suborn... Sometimes it brings a little fiberglass with it..

You still need to get below that fiberglass. The balsa is another layer down. Keep digging. Bill

continue to make some progress... I found that if you cut square grids.. the floor comes up easier.. especially when its not rotten flooring.. Next step is to take out some of the rear flooring and transom. Also, got some new rims and tires...

Yup - cutting squares helps a lot. Keep it up. You've got the right idea. I know it's a slow process. I'm working on two at the same time now. Nice rims and tires also. Bill

Trust me though, when you start going the other direction, aka putting it back together, it goes super fast!