Wheel House Reconstruction

[Survyr]

Looking for any input on cutting holes in the newly rebuilt floor of my 6'9" x 12 foot wheelhouse. The floor didn't have insulation and the plywood floor was shot.

We have 3/4" treated, 2" of Foam Insulation (Pink Board) and an aluminum skin on the bottom.

I figure an jig saw would work but I'd have to cut from both the top and the bottom to make it work.

How have the rest of you craftsmen done this?

[Fuzzbient]

How about using a sawzall?

[crothmeier]

i'd use a jigsaw from the top first, remove the plywood and them the foam. then use a hand-hacksaw type thing for the aluminum following the outline of the hole you cut above in the plywood.

I have yet to see a nice symmetrical circle, or a straight square with a sawzall.

[dairyman]

check with one of your sheet metal guys ---there is a hole saw that we use to cut round holes in metal ducting ---works pretty good too. I have used it to cut out holes in plywood too---you just have to make continual cuts . It will work

[Phred52]

Survyr, IF it were mine, I'd cut the floor (plywood) with the jigsaw, the foam with a long sharp knife and the aluminum skin with a tin-snips. Cut the alum so it can be folded up, to shield the sides of the holes and help prevent water from getting between the layers and starting the rotting process all over. That's MHO. Phred52

[SapperACE]

I second sawzall. You don't need to worry about a perfect hole if you use a catch cover. Only way to go in my opinion.

[crappiekid]

Having done both Jig and sawsall Hands down Sawsall wins hand down. Need long wood blade though or you will jam up. Should work great!

[bak2MN]

Be careful with the sawsall a glade with aggressive teeth could grip the aluminum pretty good and if it is real thin it will tear so to speak and look like @&$&. If you go real slow at a high RPM you may be all right.

[Survyr]

Thanks for the input fellow hardwater fans.

With your input I sold the wife on Catch Covers! I think I'll try the jigsaw to get through the plywood and then the sawsall to go through the foam and Aluminum Skin. I'll let you know how it turns out.

A lot of time and thought has gone into this and I appreciate your responses.

How about a generator hookup.

Should we just run a cord through the wall (Pigtail)? I have looked at the electrical connections for a camper and similar connections, but the wall is just over an inch thick. Not very applicable for those cord connections. I thought about attaching an outdoor outlet to the frame on the toungue and stubbing the electrical into the fishhouse from that. What are your comments???