'79 SeaRay Sundancer restoration help needed

[Dogdave]

I am restoring a '79 Searay sundance given to me by a family menber to bring back to life. The back half is rotten and now gutted. we are replacing the transom wood and engine mounts, stringers along the gas tank, bulkeds. My question for the boat community is, Do I need to replace the 3/4 plywood stringer on the outboard side ( in the middle of the foam) it is only 4-5 " tall? or can I dig the rott out and pour in high density structural foam in ist place and set the new deck wood on that once it has been preped?

 

[Bondo]

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

Do I need to replace the 3/4 plywood stringer on the outboard side ( in the middle of the foam) it is only 4-5 " tall?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,....

Ya, if Searay put it there, it's no doubt Necessary, as they wouldn't spend a dime that they didn't have too...

My guess is, it's used for securing the decks...as well as hull rigidity...

Got any Pictures,..?? We just Love pictures here...

post 'em at a hosting site at 480x640, 'n link 'em to yer posts...

 

[Dogdave]

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

I can post pics later. I like the fact that you think the center stringer holds the floor down when filled with foam. I am in construction and understand that 3/4 ply cut to 4 " does not give much strength. What gives the strength is all components bonded together ,,so If I do that am I in good shape???

 

[CTJeff]

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

Dog-
Do it like SeaRay did it or don't do it ! Good luck ! Post Pics when you can.
Jeff

 

[Dogdave]

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

I understand the put it back the way it was idea, and that is normally the way I think, but with this project we were able to dig the stringer out of the existing foam and that has left us a very good form for a pourable substance if one is available today. I was looking at the 16# pourable foam. If this is really a bad idea then I will pull all foam and start from scratch.

 

[Bondo]

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

and understand that 3/4 ply cut to 4 " does not give much strength. What gives the strength is all components bonded together

I was looking at the 16# pourable foam.

Ayuh,..... Cut a 4" strip of 3/4" plywood, 'n screw, 'n glue it to the side of a sheet of 1/2",...
The 1/2" gets Stiffer, 'n Stronger,... Structure is Strength, Right,..??

Is yer 16lb. foam gonna hold Screws,..?? Solidly,..??
3/4" ply will....

I'd wet-bed new plywood in myself,... Lots Cheaper too,.....

 

[Dogdave]

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

Re: '79 Searay Sundancer resoration help needed

Finally, I have a good plan I think... Going with new 3/4 7 layer cross strand ply stringers saturated with resin, Glassing in the inboard stringer like searay had it and setting the outboard stringer in a bed or resin. New flotation foam as needed to fill the voids. Cap it all off with 1/2 ply and glass over.