removal of molded cockpit sole from a viking 40

[brewersgold@com]

i am beginning the process of renovating a 1974 viking 40. i have soft spots under the molded cockpit sole. i need to replace the plywood floor that is under the fiberglass sole.
is it possible to remove the entire cocpit insert to access the floor and framing and fuel tank under without cutting it (the cockpit) up?
it looks as though it was installed before the deck.
have any of you guys ever run into this before?

[buckknekkid]

Im in the midst of it myself. the sole is best removed in a normal fashion and a lot of sweat.

[SamSam]

Mr. Nekkid,
You need to double up your clamps on the exhaust system. Nice, clear picture! Sam

[buckknekkid]

YOU Are right! and the extension pipe is rotted so Im putting in one new muffler, two new pipes and 20 new clamps

[buckknekkid]

a lttle spring cleaning, now heres a hitch. In order to install any longitudinals and bulkheads the boat must be blocked absolutely correctly. So its off to the shop tomorrow for a coupla jack stands to adjust the chine height before we tab the bulkheads in. Otherwise the glass sliding door wont open or close properly

[buckknekkid]

just installed the sole supports to dry fit today

[buckknekkid]

Funny both sides rotted near the gas fills, maybe we will stop putting gas in

[Harold]

doesn't look like a 40 but the project looks good anways...
How is it going ????

[buckknekkid]

we have finished the boat and have had a lot of good comments. We had a television crew on board last week for a filming an episode of THE FIFTH ESTATE here in Canada and next week we are a turn boat in teh OSSTORONTO races. Damn thing better not sink. wife loves her new galley too

[fiberglass jack]

now put the galley to test bacon and eggs over easy for saturday morning

[Harold]

Vary nice, indeed.
We have a '73 Viking sportfish that needs the same work . I have already done the flybridge floor (from underneat) and to say the least it was very difficult to do. Can you imagine fiberglass resin dropping on you? I did it with balsa core,resin and cabosil. Have pics of it too. Will begin work on cockpit after this summer.
Harold

[buckknekkid]

you mean like this. I can volunteer to help if its in the winter

[Harold]

LOL Exactly!!!
Mine is a 40 sportfish. Was your cockpit sole balsa cored or plywood? Mine looks like balsa but will know for sure when work begins.
Harold

[buckknekkid]

Balsa schmalsa , wet gooey old mush. We removed a lot of it and used foam

[Harold]

Thanks.
I will start a thread on the Viking 40 for coments from other owners if they are around here.
Hope to read from ya there.
Harold