Rotten Stringers?

[RCSConstruction]

Hi everyone. I had posted up some questions as I am about to install a new motor in my boat 2000 wellcraft 186ss Volvo penta 5.7gs, SX-M)
When I removed the front motor mount lag bolts on the starboard side some water squirted out of the first hole. Kind of like it was relieving some pressure. When I got the motor out I went back and checked out the lag holes and they were both full of water. I poked down inside and it felt solid and I rethreaded a lag partially and tried to pull it out to see if the threads were soft and it didn't come out.
Am I looking at a serious problem in my future? Is it serious now? What should be done? It appeared to me that there wasn't any sealant in the threads and water had just weeped in but could it be a bigger problem? How to check?
Thanks for any insight.


P.S.
Original thread
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=195581

 

[Solittle]

Re: Rotten Stringers?

First I would get in there with a shop vac and suck out as much water as you can. To check, take a mallet (I use a hammer with a plastic head) and tap everywhere you can and listen. A thud means rot and sharp rap means solid wood. If you have rot then I would replace them. If you don't you are in a bit of a pickel. If you can dry it out you might plug the existing holes and redrill. The pickel part is will rot develop later due to the water? - - I wouldn't hazzard a guess on that one. I do know that rot is the result of a growing fungus and if the wood is solid and you can kill the rot you should be OK.

Do a search on "anti freeze" as automotive anti freeze will kill the fungus. But then if you soak it in anti freeze can you then plug & redrill????? No clue from there - -

 

[Mark42]

Re: Rotten Stringers?

Take a 1/4" bit and drill a few test holes an inch or more away. You want to find solid dry wood. If its all wet, dark and crumbly, there is a problem. If not, just fill the holes with epoxy. Soak up the water in the lag holes and let it all dry out.

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Rotten Stringers?

Could I use some copper napathane in there as well? We use it for all lumber that will touch earth to stop dryrot.
How would water get in there? The lags were not sealed properly or is there a crack in the stringer up front somewhere?
I found it odd that the water would be at the top, it seems like the water would gather at the bottom of the stringer unless the whole thing is water logged??? What could cause that? is that the million dollar question?
Thanks for your responses. It makes me a feel a little better.

 

[Robj]

Re: Rotten Stringers?

I would check for rot in the stringers and the mount. You may be lucky that the water is just in the mount. On my boat, also made by Wellcraft, the mount was glassed in seperately from the stringers, so even if the mount got saturated, it would not effect the stringers. If everything checked out and was OK, then I would dry out the mount, once it was dry, treat it with a penetrating epoxy, then redrill and install new lags. Make sure the lags aren't too long such that they could go through the hull. Seal the area with 4200. Keep an eye on it to make sure the lags remain tight. If they loosen, the mount may be probably rotten. But in a 2000 boat I would hope they are still OK.

Good luck and have a great day.

Rob.

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Rotten Stringers?

Yes, same type of mounts. Look like blocks off to side, my guess is 6x12" blocks.
Oh'boy, this sure came out of left field. The boat is so nice this has taken me by surprise.

 

[Robj]

Re: Rotten Stringers?

If they are like mine were, worst case scenario, remove the blocks and glass new ones in. Relatively easy job. But do what I suggested earlier first, it is easier.

Good luck,

Rob.

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Rotten Stringers?

Chipped up around the mounts and the wood is white and fresh about 1/16" down. Only the very tip-top was discolored. Tapped all around and got a very solid "ding" everywhere. Had to have been from the water seeping into the lags. I am going to use some caulking when I put the lags back in. I think more people should be aware of this problem as I don't see it stressed enough to seal the motor mount lags well.
Anyhoo...Motor gets dropped in tomorrow....Yay!!
Thanks for the help everyone.

P.S. Would would be the best thing to seal the chipped up area that I tore into?