9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

[cjd]

I am trying to fix (replace) the stringers and floor of my Parker 18 (1989).

I have the chance to buy a fair amount of 9 oz cloth for $5 a yard. seems like a good price, but will this work for the stringers and floor?

My instinct is to use 24 oz for the stringers, but I am hoping the 9 will work for the floor (one layer on the botton, three on top).

can i use te 9 oz as described? do I really need the 24 oz for the stringers?


I am also flirting with the premade foam stringers i saw on Ship Shape TV, but i suspect the cost will sink that plan. Does anyone have any opinons on this stuff? The two reasons i like it

1) cutting out new stringers to the right size shape seems like a nightmare.

2)I am very concerned with keeping the bottom of the stinger off the floor. I can't get my head around how i will pull that off (I plan on using lost of PL to create a cusion, but I am conserned).



i have never done a project of this level, and I want to do it right, but i do not have an unlimited budget

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

What type of resin are you using, epoxy or polyester? It makes a difference.

Three layers of 9oz will work, but is it less costly than one or two layers of something else..... not normally, but if you get it cheap enough it might be.


For the other questions do some reading here about replacing stringers and transom and you'll get a good idea of what to do.

 

[cjd]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

i will be using epoxy (Mas for the most part) I am getting the fiberglass at $5 a yard. seems about 1/3 the price of where i see it elswhere.


I do have some reasing to do for sure, but i did not see much on the use of the pre formed, foam filled stringers. I was hoping someone has some experience with them on a rebuild. They just seem so much easier to use that cutting and placing plywood


Thanks

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

Foam stringers are fine, they work well and its a fast way to do it. Cost is the issue, after people price out what they need its normally back to wood.

Just add up the weight of the glass you want to cover them with and then look at which is cheaper, cloth, 1708 or roving, normally its roving, then 1708 with cloth the highest in price. If you have a good price on cloth go for it though.

 

[Gelcoat-jon]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

Listen I've been doing this along time [29yrs] The boat cloth you are refering to is for finish work on topside or hullside. Has minimal strengh, but good for fairing after because of consistincy. I know people use for stringers,but for another$2-$3 yrd, you can get a biaxal. 1708 is good, easy to work with. As far as your floor, you can use the cloth. 1 1/2 oz mat is cheaper and sufficent. [2 layers] It is up to you. The cloth will work if its a small boat 14foot or less. One IMPORTANT thing. Replace one stringer at a time. If you cut both out you take a chance, back up, unless the boat was braced out ,the botom will get a hook in it when stringers are replaced. any questions call 407-731-6738. I run my own buisness, i'll lead you in the right direction Good luck and safe boating Gelcoat-Jon

 

[cjd]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

Thanks for all the great replies. Sounds like a done deal. i will get the 9 oz for the deck and underside of the deck, but I will spring for the 1708 for the stringers. I want to save some money, but for the amount of work involved, I need to do it right.


John, I may take you up on you offer as I dig into this project. I did intend to do one stringer at a time, for the very reason you suggested. Boat has 4 stringers. It is the inside two (longest ones) that are bad. I am not interested in patching them, I want to run two new ones. The outsides stringers are still solid. I intend n leaving them in ( as well as about half of the foam)


One other question. I am stunned at the cost of the pourable foam I will need to buy. is there any reason why i can't save some of the larger chunks, and foam them back in (pourin the new foam in and around the old)?

i figure I can cut my cost in half, but I want to be sure it will not cause problems down the road.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

Since you're using epoxy the cloth is OK, 1708 is better though. 1.5 oz mat will be of no value with epoxy, so you don't need any.

You can use the old foam in that way "IF" its dry, the new foam will also disolve the old chunks a little, the longer it takes for to foam, the more it will melt them.

 

[weweber3]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

"One IMPORTANT thing. Replace one stringer at a time. If you cut both out you take a chance, back up, unless the boat was braced out, the bottom will get a hook in it when stringers are replaced."

What does that mean? a hook in it?

 

[92excel]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

not square

 

[weweber3]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

I have seen pictures of boats being restored that have all stringers replaced all over this site - is that not the right way? I, for example, have 6 stringers to replace, 2 9ft and 4 8ft. I should remove them one at a time and replace 1 at a time?

Seems like a real pain in the rear considering the fiberglass work that has to be done - put on suit/respirator, grind the old fiberglass away, etc etc.

Thanks for your input.

-Bill

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

It depends on the hull design and how thick it is, so there isn't really one correct answer.

A thin hull on a poorly fitting trailer can change shape dramatically when the stringers are removed. A well supported thicker hull may have no problems without stringers. If you plan to leave it on the trailer (trailers move and flex), use blocks or jack stands to support the hull in many places and if you find it moves a great deal when you walk around in it, add more supports.

Just keep checking the hull from the outside to make sure it stays straight.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

I'll second what Ondarvr said about boats being different and the need for support. I too saw pictures of other boats left on the trailer and even asked others. It's just going to depend on your boat after you start removing structural components. After stringer removal on mine, I noticed indentations from the rollers in some places. Those indentations would have really screwed up the way the stringers blended into the hull. I went ahead and supported mine on sawhorses in the rear and on blocks in the front. It's not particularly difficult, you just need to have the dunnage available.

 

[cjd]

Re: 9 oz cloth for stingers and floor?

I am leaving mine on the trailer, and supporting it in places. It is an 18 foot parler, and frankly, the thickness of the hull is the only reason I am undertaking this project. It is solid as a rock when i walk in the inside of the hull.


Thanks again for all who weighed in.