Advice on Stringers...pics

[revjim]

Got a starcraft and new the floor was soft...stringer issue...pics show it...I only have three. My question is can I slip the new stringers into the existing fiberglass sleeves as seen in pics or do I need to start over completely.

Next, should I remove foam and just get rid of it or keep it and glass sleeve to the foam sections.

Thanks for your help guys...great site!!

Pic 1
Pic 2

 

[revjim]

Re: Advice on Stringers...pics

If I inserted the new stringers in the sleeves I would reglass the sleeves and wet the stringers too...

 

[gcboat]

Re: Advice on Stringers...pics

I'd grind then down so there would be an inch or so of the sleeves showing.
That way you'll have plenty of room to clean everything out and make a good bonding surface. Two words in fiberglass repair you should remember -
Clean and Dry.
By leaving just an inch or so you'll have a good guide as to where the new lumber needs to sit.
I'd probably keep the foam - if it's not waterlogged, but I would cut it away from anything you plan on glassing. My $.02

 

[revjim]

Re: Advice on Stringers...pics

could I use small stringers that just attach vertically to the long ones....making a grid effect???

 

[salty87]

Re: Advice on Stringers...pics

revjim...you'll be faced with many decisions throughout the process. re-using old stuff is somewhat risky, depends on the condition it is all in. that's a hard call from this end. i wouldn't risk all of the work by cutting too many corners.

in my mind, if it rotted out already there was something wrong with it. i'd get rid of it too. it will take a lot of time to preserve the current fiberglass, get the wood in, glass it back up...personally, i'd rather use that time to properly glass it all back together.

foam is very controversial around here. it never dries though so if there's any water it has to go. jam a screwdriver or the claw end of a hammer into it (not through the hull) and see if water squishes out.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Advice on Stringers...pics

read this. http://recaffeinated.net/skankybeast/page1.html

 

[revjim]

Re: Advice on Stringers...pics

I will be using new stringers...yes the foam has water in it...should I take that out and replace with new foam in same areas...the foam at the front seams to be good, but old. I was wondering should I try also putting vertical stringers in as well...thanks

 

[lundnisswa]

Re: Advice on Stringers...pics

I just went through the same situation with my replacement of rotten stringers on the Lund Nisswa Restore, I was convinced that leaving an inch or so of the fiberglass sticking up out of the floor was the way to go so I would have a channel to insert the new stringers into. All turned out just fine but if I was to ever do it again I would grind those stringers down to bare glass, level with the hull, the reason shows up later when you go to glass the stringers in, you end up using much larger fillets than normal and are constantly fighting the old lumps and bumps of the existing channel which introduce air bubbles/pockets. It is hard enough to get a perfect glass job with no air so do yourself a favor, grind them off, start from scratch, much easier and stronger bond.
Just my opinion.
Lund

 

[Coors]

Re: Advice on Stringers...pics

I cut the top of the stringer f/g off; dug the crap out.
Filled with fiber and epoxy.
I am convinced that pain in the a.. was easier that re-glassing from the hull up.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Advice on Stringers...pics

Hi Revjim,
Click on my links below - similar issues, similar hulls... I would not try to patch them. Dig it all out and start new - it'll be easier and worth it in the long run. I left a 1-inch lip from the original glass as described by GCBoat and then sealed up everything with glass and epoxy.
- Scott