Is it Safe to boat, knowing you have partial rotten stringer?

SteveD78 · 2026-08-16T07:50:40-0600

Hi Guys,

New here and to the boating world. Make this quick as I get mixed reviews. Bought a 97 Bayliner Capri Bowrider that was supposed to be water ready.

Long story short, my buddy found a soft spot and after looking, we have noticed partial rot on both stringers, on both sides of that storage cubby, (sure there's a proper name for it) between the passenger and driver seat.

Neighbour said after rebuilding a few of these, that it would be fine to use in the water for the rest of the season and then winter project.

I get mixed reviews if that's aafe or not. Don't want to cause more damage, but really want to test it out and get out on the water.

What are your thoughts?

Scott Danforth · 2026-08-16T08:00:48-0600

Have insurance and wear PFDs. It may be ok, it may sink

Since rot starts at the keel and goes up, and the floor rots 10 years after the stringers. I personally would want to fix it before bringing loved ones on board

bajaman123 · 2026-08-16T08:21:55-0600

At this point you are basically relying on a thin layer of plastic resin and fiberglass mat...which, while it has SOME strength to it, it's not much at all compared to a sound keel structure. While I have not seen it personally, I have a friend who actually watched a boat simply come apart while towing a skier...one second all was good, the next the boat literally came apart, putting everyone in the cockpit/bow into the water. Personally I wouldn't want to risk that. As Scott noted above, you might be fine...or not.

redneck joe · 2026-08-16T08:30:27-0600

welcome to the forum and buckle up for the replies to your question.
so far the two answers are correct, i ran a sea ray with some rot around the ski locker - never did dig in to see what all else was rotten.

If you do go, just run, no towing and yes wear lifejackets because if a boat does come apart it happens quickly and trying to scramble for stored ones may take too long.

SteveD78 · 2026-08-16T17:42:15-0600

Is someone able to help me identify if these are considered the stringers or not? The thicker one circled in red is still good. I think that is the stringer, or one of them anyway. The section in blue is where the rot is, on both sides, but not sure if that's structural for the hull or just the flooring and seating?

SteveD78 · 2026-08-16T17:44:48-0600

SteveD78 said:
Is someone able to help me identify if these are considered the stringers or not? The thicker one circled in red is still good. I think that is the stringer, or one of them anyway. The section in blue is where the rot is, on both sides, but not sure if that's structural for the hull or just the flooring and seating?

SteveD78 · 2026-08-16T18:05:19-0600

Hey,

I'm new to the boating world and just have a question after finding rot in what I thought were the stringers, but not sure now. I bought a 1997 Bayliner Capri that was supposed to be in tip top shape. I definitely found rot, but looks like it might just be for the seating and floor support. Circled in red is the main stringer, I think, and blue is where the rot is. Wondering for safety of taking the boat out after just purchasing. Thanks for the help.

MikeSchinlaub · 2026-08-16T18:20:00-0600

They're all stringers. Stringers are the boards that run the length of the boat, bulkheads run sideways between stringers. That storage area is called a ski locker.

SteveD78 · 2026-08-16T18:21:13-0600

MikeSchinlaub said:
They're all stringers. Stringers are the boards that run the length of the boat, bulkheads run sideways between stringers. That storage area is called a ski locker.

Thank you, appreciate it.

matt167 · 2026-08-16T20:21:26-0600

Stringers for sure run on each side of the ski locker. Rot that far up in the boat is not good

jbcurt00 · 2026-08-16T20:59:26-0600

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Is it Safe to boat, knowing you have partial rotten stringer?

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