kentblairlvideo
Alcort Catfish Trim Removal
4 October 2024 · 6 min · 104 views
What this video covers
Kent Blair removes the aluminum deck edge trim from a 1965 Alcort Catfish named Smedley to access the hull-to-deck seam for restoration.0:06 The trim, which serves as an impact guard rather than a structural seal, attaches to the flange with 1/8-inch rivets.0:29 To remove the trim without tearing the soft aluminum, drill through the rivet barrel using a 1/8-inch metal bit, taking care not to penetrate the bottom of the flange.1:08 If the trim remains stuck due to debris or adhesive, use a 2x4 block to gently tap the material off the deck edge, working incrementally around each rivet hole to prevent the thin metal from creasing or snapping.2:28 After removing the trim, clean any remaining rivet remnants from the holes and file away burrs.3:46 The process reveals existing fiberglass damage at the corners, which requires removing old patches and applying new fiberglass reinforcement to the flange.5:12
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