81 Silverline stringer brace question

[Stalmon]

hi all,

when I pulled out my old stringers the pictured brace was between the two stringers (four of them, two fore, two aft). When I first saw it I did not know what it was for but I did not think it was structural because it was so flimsy (thin wood and not much glass) but after doing a little research I think it was intended to be a brace. My question is do I need to replace it on the restoration. The new stringers will have thinker glass than the old ones and I will have pour in foam between them. thanks in advance for your advice.

Stalmon

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 81 Silverline stringer brace question

If I had to guess, that 1X piece running across the tops of the stringers was a backer BELOW the edge of 2 sheets of plywood decking. That way the entire edge could be fastened down.

It may also be under something above the deck (seat box maybe) and was used as a cleat to double the thickness the deck & give the mounting screws something more substantial to grab.

 

[bakerjw]

Re: 81 Silverline stringer brace question

I agree with JBCurt. They don't look like they're that much of a structural component. Did you get pictures during demo work to see what might have been in the vicinity? they may have just been used to space the stringers out during installation too.

 

[Stalmon]

Re: 81 Silverline stringer brace question

I agree with JBCurt. They don't look like they're that much of a structural component. Did you get pictures during demo work to see what might have been in the vicinity? they may have just been used to space the stringers out during installation too.

thanks guys,

Very possible that they were associated with the box seats and that is what I originally thought but I am not sure they line up with where they were. I have seen diagrams that show a similar set up as bracing between the stringers so I am worried about leaving them out of the rebuild even though I did not think there was any way they added structure. The carpet and floor was one disintegrating mess so I would not have been able to discern where joints in the plywood were. I think the important thing for me now is I am planning not to include them in the rebuild and based on your in put I am feeling like that is a good plan.

Stalmon