The Final Demise of the Minnow

[bhartley]

The Minnow is 75% gone. Darkness and the darned GA-FL game cut down on my progress. All of my helpers bailed at the start of the game. I am indebted to Tim for the recommendation on the carbide blades. They made all the difference!

The demolition turned out to be incredibly educational and realtively fun (for the first five hours...). It was really nice to be able to see how everything was built. Once the liner was gone, the incredible damage to the hull became visible. It looked like there was only one hole as the repair is visible on the outside. NOT! The boat sank. Lots of gashes, holes, etc. The repairs were very good and you can't see them through the paint. I know the boat sank because the voids in the hull between the liner and cockpit, etc. were FILLED with silt. The hulk is like a giant mud puddle.

Still don't have a battle plan on the keel. We have to strip the glass and lay it down to take it to be recycled. Since it weighs 2,000lbs, we will need a plan before we go below the bunk boards.

Lots of treasures found on board... Some just interesting while others may help fund the project (like the new tiller).

Here's a quickie photo essay of the day. It was a little inconvenient to take pictures, but I snapped what I could. The Demise of the Minnow

[Mark.Wilme]

This one is my favorite !



GREAT job, love the photos

[Tim]

Nicely done!

I think demolishing (and/or rebuilding) a boat is a momentus occasion that deserves documentaion, and I appreciate your efforts in taking the pictures. Things like this are interesting and valuable to yourself and others, and you only get once chance to properly document the progress. Someday, your experience may prove invaluable to another boater, or even to yourself. Without documentation, the experience is diminished, and often lost completely. It is worth the inconvenience in the long run.

I wouldn't feel bad at all about cutting that boat apart. She was no prize, and had passed her time of usefulness and redemption.

[Clip]

Love the great cut away photo. I agree photos are very instructive, do you have more?

[bhartley]

The keel went off to recycling today on the trailer. 2,200 lbs of solid lead. Interestingly, the keel was poured in 2 pieces. We have a large assortment of boat parts to find homes for, but the worst is over. If you're looking for something strange, we probably have it!

The welder expects the trailer tomorrow. She's no longer saying she'll get it done in one day, but we're pushing her as hard as we can. The new 25D will get moved off of the rental trailer and onto the 'new' one as soon as she's done.

The 25D has yet to get a new name. Seems odd that the boat we chopped into little pieces had one before the 'real' boat!

I updated the photo album with the last of the photos for anyone interested. The Final Demise of the Minnow

[Ancient Race]

Not only fascinating, but informative Bly. A great documentary recorded in the heat of the battle.

And hey, when the lead's been recycled and the welder has done her magic, your 25D will have a comfortable home.

Congratulations; well done.



Greg

[Steve Laume]

So what was the final tool of choice? You mentioned carbide blades but for what kind of saw? If it was a chain saw did you go through more than one chain? Did the entire boat fit on one truck load? Too bad you are all done. I saw a little dog house type shed made from an over turned bow section one time. Another value added item for the next one you take on, Steve.

[bhartley]

The Minnows demolition was a pain! It was definately not a quickie process and I don't plan on doing it again -- or at least no time soon.

No chainsaws were used. I think it would have been far to messy to say nothing of too loud. The entire demolition was done with one Milwaukee Sawzall with a total of 3 carbide blades. We had more saws available, but it was actually faster to have one person cutting and one loading. Space was tight and things shifted as you cut away pieces of the liner, cockpit and deck. I was the one doing the cutting and as long as I found the right spot for that cut, it was very smooth and realtively easy to cut. Each cut was a little different however. I would like a full face respirator for Christmas if I was going to do it again.

The glass on the keel was removed with a circular saw using one old, already trashed blade, a sledge, a hammer and several different chisels. It was a long, slow process. I skipped town for this part and my husband is still recovering from days in epoxy "snow".

The entire mess filled 1 -1/4 loads in a 10 ton dump truck. We paid for < 3,000 of disposal. The keel was recycled and any salvagable hardware, etc. is destined for a new home one way or the other. Some parts are already listed on ebay. The trailer upgrade will cost $2,000 (new was $5,000+) plus all of our time.

I'm looking forward to the process being over and the new boat safely installed on the new trailer. It will be a while still due to bad weather and the need to locate a few more parts for the trailer.

Cheers!

Bly

[A30_John]

The keel went off to recycling today on the trailer. 2,200 lbs of solid lead.

How much did you get for the lead?

Fascinating undertaking... thanks for posting the photos!

[s/v Faith]

Wow, what a great series of pictures!

Thanks for taking the time to do that.

I am really looking forward to your next project...

... putting the pieces back together.... :)

[jollyboat]

Bly, what kind of boat was Minnow again? Where can I pick up the forum threads on this story?
Thanks-
BPG

[bhartley]

The Minnow was an O'Day 27 sunk in Hurricane Hugo up in Charleston and transported to Atlanta. It was in storage (outside) for 7 years awaiting a restoration. By the time we bought it, the boat was beyond saving. The trailer is in the process of being put to good use.

Here's the original link Minnow