by LancerBoy » Sat Jul 23, 2016 1:12 pm
Welcome aboard.
If this is a boat made in Peshtigo, WI, you are correct. Stringers and keelson are placed into the building jig in the factory. Ribs are steam bent and one nail is quickly driven from rib into stringer and keelson to hold it in place. After all ribs are in place, a screw is driven from rib into stringer and keelson. The planking is then nailed and screwed into the ribs.
You might be able to cut the nail and screw from the inside if you can get a hacksaw blade under the stringers; between them and the plywood planking.
I do not know construction details of boats made in the Cortland, NY plant.
Good luck.
Andreas - writing from Peshtigo about 300 feet away from the old Thompson Boat factory