I used a Bosch Multitool. It cut the stinger like butter, and I can get way closer to the hull and more control than a grinder.

Cool thanks, im gonna check that out. Been struggling with the grinder with no luck, especially the center stringer where the V is the most.
Thanks

I'll be at the boat on Sunday, I'll take a picture of the blade you will need. Not all of them work well.

I'll appreciate it, thanks.

I have found that to be the best tool also.... I especially like the big round attachment...

Here is a little update. Things are not going fast right now. I'm currently ripping out all of the grid work in the engine bay. While is was sealed and NO weep holes in it, it was still damp. I'm honestly shocked at the amount of wet wood in this thing. Oh well, at least the cabin is dry. As mentioned before, the front engine bulk head was rotten, not wet, rotten. Which of course made its way into the cockpit stringers. It sounds like those are toast for about 1.5-2' and then they are solid. Doesn't matter, I'll replace the entire stringer system. I want this boat, rock solid.

Then I finally got one of the through hull fittings out, that were used for the water pick up. Those will be getting filled and moved to the transom.

Also, check out the tabbing on the bulk head between the cabin and the cockpit. Look at how absurdly little and wimpy it was. It looks like someone took a knife and cut it, of course that isn't what happed. So with that, EVERY single bulkhead was not attached to anything above the chine.

There is always surprises when tearing down a boat like that!!!

Looking good man. I like your attitude. It may take a long time, but making the boat solid is worth it. Your boat appears to be very well maintained, much more so than 95% of them and look how much rot it has. The ones that lived outside are all basket cases. You know it’s interesting how all the bulkheads on yours and mine are separated from the hull. We better pay special attention to prepping the hull when we tab them, must have a lot of stress there.

Was the grid in the bilge cored with wood?

It was cored with 2"2" pine. As in a 2x4 ripped in half.