OK so I finally got around to defoaming this ski. I must say for as many threads as there are about how bad this process is...I just don't see it. IMO a good turfing job is far far worse and messier than defoaming...as is actually installing footholds.
Took me about 30 minutes to actually cut the tray. I can cut through steel with no problems using my air die grinder but cutting through fiberglass bogs that thing down like crazy.
Took about 30 minutes to actually pull the tray. Check out that dark colored foam. The mold and stale water make it smell wonderful too!
Then another hour using a claw hammer and a big screwdriver to this point. Just pay attention to what you're swinging at with the claw side of the hammer...and wear leather gloves so it doesn't hurt when your hand nicks something.
The last hour and a half were spent pulling the exhaust tube and finishing up. Once I got most of the foam out with the hammer and screwdriver, I decided it was time to break out the shop vac and drill with a wire brush attached.
I didn't get every bit of foam and there is still a little bit in the top of the sides that may take another 30 minutes or so but I may still chop the sides down some to make them look pretty so I wasn't too concerned. Overall though... 3.5-4 hours of work is very do-able and because there wasn't any kind of precision needed for this job, I just cranked up the radio, and went to town.