removing headliner

[cd36777]

we are hoping to purchase a 36 soon. The one we are looking at is going to require us removing the salon headliner to get to the hand holds on top of the house that need replacement. the liner appears to be original Formica .Any tips or suggestions would be welcome. BTW how can we determine the correct year built by the hull #
Thanks

[Sea Hunt Video]

we are hoping to purchase a 36 soon. . . .how can we determine the correct year built by the hull #
Thanks

Several years ago Good Old Boat had an excellent article on hull identification numbers (HINs).

The surest way to find the year your prospective CD 36 was built is to locate the lengthy "hull identification number". It should be on your stern, starboard side. It should also be in the bill of sale and/or state registration documents.

As GOB explains it, the characters (numbers or letters) in the "model-year format" which existed prior to 01 January 1984 are decoded as follows:

Character positions 1, 2 & 3 of the HIN are the manufacturer's identification code and assigned by the US Government;

Character positions 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 of the HIN are an alpha-numeric serial number established by the manufacturer;

Character position 9 of the HIN could be the letter "M" if the sailboat was built before 01 January 1984. The letter "M" signifies the manufacturer is using the "model-year format" not the "numerical straight-year format";

Character positions 10 & 11 are the year of manufacture; and

Character position 12 is a letter indicating the month of manufacture in the "model-year format". Interestingly, this lettering starts with the letter "A" signifying August; "B" is September; "C" is October, etc.

Before 01 January 1984, if a manufacturer wanted to, he (or she) could alternatively use the "numerical straight year format" instead of the "model-year format". Then characters are decoded as follows:

1-8 are the same as above for the "model-year format";

9, 10, 11 & 12 would be the month and year of manufacture. Instead of an "M" at character 9 signifying "model-year format" there would be a number as part of the month (2 digits), followed by year (2 digits).

Post 01 January 1984 you could use another third format which is called the "new format" (catchy phrase). In the "new format", the characters are decoded as follows:

1-8 are the same as above for the "model-year format";

9 is the month of manufacture - "A" is January, "B" is February, etc.

10 is a number digit signifying the last digit of the year of manufacture or certification

11 and 12 are the model year.

Hope this helps.

[John Stone]

CD36777,
What year is your boat? Mine is an '82. I think the overhead liner changed at some point after my boat was built. Anyway, if it's like mine, the liner is fiberglass. About 1/4" thick. It is bonded in certain places to the underside of the deck with a thick mastic. On mine, you can't remove it. It's permanent. Having said that, if your boat is like mine was, I in fact cut my headliner out and replaced it with a custom V groove overhead, then you should be able to remove the hand rails with only a little fuss.

From my memory it would go something like this:

First, remove the interior overhead grab rails. The molded flanges that provide separation for the interior overhead grab rails from the headliner itself has openings that become visible when you take the grab rails down. From there, you can access the nuts with a deep socket on a ratchet handle to hold the nuts. On the outside of the boat, you have to removed the bungs in the top of the grab rails and then access the slotted fasteners. At that point, it's a simple matter to remove the fasteners and thus the handrails.

I'm sure some other 36 owners will chime in but I think my description is pretty close, unless of course you have a different overhead liner.

Good luck.

[Russell]

My 84 CD36 is like Johns, no need to remove the headliner to get the exterior grab rails off, just remove the interior grab rails and you can access the nuts for the exterior grab rails. But my headliner is fibreglass, if you have a formica headliner (are you sure?) maybe its a very early 36?

[cd36777]

THANKS FOR GETTING BACK TO US ! # 38 is what the Cape Dory Plate says . It sure looks like Formica to me would like to see some pics of that v groove. I can't remember if this had interior grab rails . That would be sweet if they where connected
Thanks

[John Stone]

Here you go.

http://www.farreachvoyages.com/cabinsid ... rhead.html

[David van den Burgh]

Our CD36, hull #7, headliner is luan panels covered with formica. Removing it is doable, but it needs to be done carefully to avoid damaging trim or the panels. First I had to remove the wood strips that cover the joints between the overhead panels, then the half-round that covers the joint between the cabin house sides and the headliner. Once those pieces are out of the way, the screws holding the overhead panels in place need to be removed, then the panels can be maneuvered out of position. Any light fixtures attached to the overhead will have to be removed as well.