Nitro Hammer Owners... Help !

[Divrdan007]

Hello all,
My new Nitro Hammer arrived yesterday, (my 3rd nitro boat)
I got it off Ebay, supposed to be "new-in-box" and it is... BUT it is damaged. Looks like it was damaged in shipping. Everything is perfect except a small crack in the top deck, and the aluminum peice that holds the rudder is pretty mangled with a couple bad bends in it.
I COULD send it back to the seller, but I got it for about $160. (with shipping) so I've decided to keep it and repair the damage.
I plan to fix the crack in the deck with a little JB Weld, sand it smooth, then cover the repair with one of the decals somehow.
The rudder support will have to be removed from the transom to straighten it out.
Ok, Here's the question...
Is there some kind of backer (wood or otherwise) in the transom that the rudder support screws into? What special care should be taken when screwing into that area of the boat?
Also, I want ro replace the wimpy, skinny stock tubing they use for the fuel lines and the water intake/exit lines.
Looks like I'm going to have to remove the radio box to get at the water pick-up tube at the bottom of the boat.
Is this a big deal? What special care should I take when removing/replacing the radio box?
Thanks in advance for any help, getting my new Hammer in shape to run this weekend.
Dan

[fs454]

You could pick up a new rudder assembly at the LHS for like 7 bucks that includes a thicker stock rudder and that piece of aluminum if you want. I think it does screw into wood on the other side.

The radio box....Well, it's epoxied on there, so you either need to slice it off by sliding a knife under the box or wait for the stupid thing to fall off, which it probably will. Just make sure you have the stuff to get it back on before you take it off. Just make sure that when you mount it, the water intake tube doesn't get squished by the radio box. That's actually how mine came stock, and I only realized it after seeing some insane temps on my engine.

[GRANT ED]

I have actually just started to replace my radio box with a water proof box (the standard one is pretty crap). The glue holding the box on is not very good. Just leave your boat in your car on a warm day. The heat will loosen the glue allowing you to pull the box out.... Don't ask how I know that.