There be some gaps under my stringer...

[Homerr]

I did some searching, and couldn't find anything that pertained directly to my situation...<br /><br />I'm installing my last set of stringers.<br />I did the first side last summer.<br /><br />The problem I noticed is...<br />There is a gap between the inboard stringer that varies from approx 1/4 to 1" in the middle of the stringer. The ends meet the boat hull just fine.<br />I noticed this gap when I was removing the old stringer. The factory had blasted quite a bit of glass in the void. The stringer on that side was very rough cut and didn't really match-fit anything. Infact..It didn't appear to touch the hull n the problem area I'm having now.<br />Possibly factory flaw?<br /><br />The first set of stringers didn't have this problem. They fit rather nicely and glasses up just fine. I used a little filler on the under-sides, but not much (maybe 1/4" in some high/low spots)<br /><br />Question is... Can I get away with this big of gap, or should I fill some of it?<br />I'd say it runs about 4 feet, and varies from 1/4 to 1" at its worse.<br /><br />The stringers are level with the first side, so I really don't want to try and remove more wood.<br />The boat is on an older roller-trailer and blocked level. <br />There doesn't appear to be any sagging in the hull where the gap is. Even if there was some, there is no way it could be that much.<br /><br />I thought about blocking the hull up (and pushing the floor upwards) where the gap is, but I don't know if that would be the right choice.<br /><br />It just doesn't make sense that the first side went in well with little gaps. Now the other side looks completely different. <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.

 

[crab bait]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

only you can assertain that problem.. is a big gap a good thing..?? or a tite fit better..??<br /><br />how hard to fix..?? mix up alittle putty.. slip in some shimm/filler wood.. not long time an costly,,eh..??<br /><br />why is there a gap.. who knows.. but to see if it hull distortion,, hold a stra8 edge underneath/outside of hull.. it'll tell the story.. <br /><br />if'n ya got a 'rocker'...cause of the gap.. jack it up tite an glue stringer..<br /><br />if'n it's fine.. don't jack up ..just shim an glue...

 

[JasonJ]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

I had used the old rotted stringers as a template when I did mine. There was just enough to be able to trace the shape. I ended up with minor gaps, 1/4 to 1/8 hear and there. I shimmed them and glassed the whole mess in. I just made sure the hull bottom was still true. Good luck...

 

[Homerr]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

My stringers were completely mush when I took them out.. (well..scooped them out )<br /><br />I had to start from scratch and a little help from Crab Bait! His string method worked great.<br /><br />These gaps are a bit puzzling though, since the one side went fine.<br /><br />Filling isn't a big deal, I was just wondering what kind of performance and safety issue there would be if I left the gaps unfilled of missed some. The boat is a fishing boat, and it's top speed might reach 35 with a tail wind...<br /><br />I noticed that some manufacturers purposely leave in gaps for flex.<br /><br />Thanks guys...<br /><br />H.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

Odds are if you are using plenty of material and resin, you will probably never notice any ill handling. Once that stuff cures, the bond with the wood combined with the strength of the glass itself wil be enough. It would more of a peace of mind thing. Heck, it probably performed okay when the original stringers were mush.

 

[Bondo]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

Like crab bait says, Check the Outside of the Hull(That's the Working Part of the Equation)......<br />If it Needs jacking, Do It....<br />If Not, Mix up some Extra Putty,+ Bed the stringers.......

 

[Homerr]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

Thanks again guys...<br /><br />I'll give the hull another once over with a straight edge.<br />Last time I looked, it was fine.<br /><br />I'm wondering if the boat was that way at the factory. Why so much difference between the sides. Who knows.<br /><br />And you're right Jason... I could do a half-A$$ed job and it would still be better than the factory junk they had in there... I'm surprised it even held together.<br />Even with the rotted stringers, it felt rigid, but I wasn't going to take the chance.<br /><br />I'll go get some shims, or make some.<br />I should probably stick with the same material. Would make sense.<br /><br />How about those shims you can buy for shimming a door. The 'wedges' ?<br />I think they make those from cedar.<br />Those would be ideal, and save me from cutting any.<br /><br />H.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

mix up some of Crab's putty recepie he gave you<br />in your previous thread:<br /> "apply thick handmade epoxy putty..usin' 75 % silica,, 15 % microballoons an 10 % milled fiberglass.."<br />that is if you need to fill rather than jack up<br />the hull into shape.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

Since your boat is on its trailer, I assume you are making sure the hull isn't being pushed up in places. I found with mine that the hull had some distortion from sitting on the trailer before I tore it apart. After the bare empty shell had sat for a few months, all the distortion was gone, and the hull was true. Then I was able to glass in the stringers and it held its trueness.

 

[Homerr]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

I have no doubt I'll have some dips and 'whoop-de-doo's' in the hull, but again - it's a 26ft crawler... I'm not planning on entering any races.<br /><br />I'll break out the straight edge and see if that's the problem. I'm kinda thinkin' it's not.<br />I think it's just the difference in the two sides. Based on the garbage I took out, I have no doubt that the sides were uneven to begin with.<br /><br />H.

 

[crab bait]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

i'm sure it is ,too.. but it'll only take a few minutes to be sure.. once the glue cure's,, to late then...

 

[Homerr]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

Ok, I checked the bottom of the Kahuna (her name) where I could, and interestingly enough... The bottom is somewhat straight.<br /><br />All the chines are nice and straight, but there are some high/low spots here and there between the chines.<br /><br />Where the gap is under the stringers, the bottom of the boat seems OK. <br />It doesn't reflect the 1/4"+ gap on the outside that the floor is showing on the inside. <br />I'm going to say it's a factory flaw and go with shims and 'Crab Bait peanut butter'.<br /><br />Again, I'm not going to do speed trials, so what the heck if it has some high/low spots? It's probably been that way since factory. <br />Based on what garbage I took out, it's no wonder the bottom has some flaws. I can do a half-Azzed job and still come out a 1000x better than before!<br /><br />Thanks again guys... I'm off to buy a heat gun and a few more tarps.<br />It got cold last night and more moisture found its way in. I may have to delay (AGAIN) until spring.... If we have a spring.... Last time it went from Winter to Summer and then back to Winter. 100+ to 30 to 100+... Somedays I think someone up there doesn't want me to finish it.<br /><br />Maybe the fish are doing a 'Homer' dance or ritual to keep me from floating the Kahuna... Cause they know I'm going to catch them when I do! <br /><br />H.

 

[flashback]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

one thing to say as it has all been said above, in case you may not know, you can buy empty caulk tubes at west marine and fill them with Crab's peanut butter and then just squirt the stuff in...good luck......

 

[Homerr]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

Just got back from Harbor Freight tools...<br /><br />They had a 1500 watt heat gun on sale for $13.<br />Not bad for a cheapo gun. It has 2 heat settings.<br /><br />Sale is on til 2/2.<br /><br />H.

 

[Homerr]

Re: There be some gaps under my stringer...

ARGHH!!<br /><br />RAIN!!!!<br /><br />I was all set to start glassing the stringers in today. RAIN!<br /><br />I almost convinced that someone doesn't want me to finish this project.<br /><br /> <br /><br />I broke out a few more tarps. I found 2 small puddles in the bilge, so I got a huge tarp to completely cover the boat in one shot. Maybe that will be enough.<br /><br />H.