chipping out stringer wood

[vandy21]

I'm thinking of going the seacast root when it comes to replacing my stringers. I cut them open so the fiberglass remains on the outsides, but the wood is accessible from the top. On the seacast web site it says to do this, and then chip out the stringer wood. does anyone have any good methods of doing this? sorry I feel like I am being unclear, but it's hard to word my problem. If a picture would help i could probably go take one. Also, heres the link the the seacast repair techniques. http://transomrepair.com/zk/stringers.shtml

 

[Fingernip]

Re: chipping out stringer wood

I have been debating doing the same thing. How well rotted your stringers are will likely be the biggest factor in how easily you can extract the old wood. Also if the old glass is still bonded to the wood well. I would think that if its fairly rotten you may be able to get in there with an electric chainsaw just as people do in the transoms. Maybe if its more intact you can try screwing in some eyebolts and pulling the old stringer material up and out. Otherwise you may be left with a chisel and a drill making holes and chipping out the wood between.

 

[vintageglastron]

Re: chipping out stringer wood

I'm in the middle of restoring a V156 Glastron and I'm debating about using seacast or replacing the stringers with PVC. Either way the stringers will out last me. My Transom is going to be made of ply wood. Seacast would cost a small fortune.
My other concern is it okay to work on the hull while on the trailer or do I need to take all weight off the bunks so that all the weight is on the keel.
I'm just worried that when I take it off the trailer the sides will relax outward and crack the new glass on the stringers and floor.

Thank You to all

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: chipping out stringer wood

i have used an electric chain saw, on several transoms, and stringer repairs. there is definately a different sound when the blade hits the glass. that's why i use the electric. it also doesn't cut as fast. this also comes in handy.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: chipping out stringer wood

A router with a straight cutting bit would quickly remove wood. If to little care is taken it would quickly remove fiberglass as well.

 

[vandy21]

Re: chipping out stringer wood

thanks for all the advice. the super rotten stringer wood came out pretty well on its own, but the rest seems to be pretty well in tact. the fiberglass is still bonded well to the hull, but not really to the wood. the only thing that seems to be holding it in there is the bond its formed to the hull. I guess i'll probably try to use a variety of the methods mentioned above and hope some thing works. also, I don't mean to get too off topic, but how do you estimate the amount of seacast needed? Everyone says how expensive it is, but it doesnt seem like it would take that much to do a couple stringers. Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: chipping out stringer wood

google seacast, there is a formula on there site.

 

[vandy21]

Re: chipping out stringer wood

hey, good news to anyone who cares. I managed to get the claws of a hammer into part of the stringer and rip it out all in one big piece pretty much, so there won't be any need for chipping. I only did the left stringer today, but hopefully i will have equal success on the right tomorrow.