any one ever have there fiberglass hull crack after new stringers

[bigbad4cyl]

im into doing the stringers my self ,,,but am trying to gather info on how to brace the hull for stringer instilation ,after comlete removal,,,,,,also am wondering if using epoxy realy exposes me to the risk of cracking my fiberglass hull were the stringers and the hull meet etc....

 

[Boomyal]

Re: any one ever have there fiberglass hull crack after new stringers

How were they originally affixed?

 

[bigbad4cyl]

Re: any one ever have there fiberglass hull crack after new stringers

im guessing with poly resin and fiberglassed in ...

 

[Boomyal]

Re: any one ever have there fiberglass hull crack after new stringers

I would just do the same, creating a generously radiused fillet where the stringer meets the hull. If you want to spread the load even wider, glass up the sides of the new stringer and about 3 or 4 inches out onto the hull. You can buy hemmed fiberglass tape in two inch increments. That's probably be overkill but you'd also protect the new stringers from water by doing it.

 

[Buttanic]

Re: any one ever have there fiberglass hull crack after new stringers

If the higher price of epoxy is not an issue I would use epoxy. It will have a stronger bond to the hull, greater strength and flexibility. I can not see why it would cause the hull to crack.<br />Also epoxy is more resistant to water peneration than poly.

 

[bigbad4cyl]

Re: any one ever have there fiberglass hull crack after new stringers

thats the issue ,,i am using epoxy but sience acording to the people ive come into contact with ,,the epoxy forms a rock solid joint . they say the hull is subject to cracking in those areas .....thanks for the tip about making a wider radius on the fillet...

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: any one ever have there fiberglass hull crack after new stringers

I am not a structural engineer -- but the purpose of the stringer is to hold everything solid. It was never designed to be a flexable connection. I would use the epoxy. If a firm connection were not required - why bother connecting the stringers to the hull in the first place? We could just cut them to size and drom them into the boat with the floor attached to their tops and would be a great boon for ease of future replacement

 

[Terry H]

Re: any one ever have there fiberglass hull crack after new stringers

You can also fill the spaces between the stringers with 8# foam. The heavy foam will tie everything together and make the hull very rigid...Chief

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: any one ever have there fiberglass hull crack after new stringers

Keep one thought in mind about poly and epoxy glues. They generally keep curing or getting harder each year. So the older the hull the LESS flex you have to it. No bull. Keep it stiff as hell. Problems occur when someone changes the hp or weight of engines or trans.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: any one ever have there fiberglass hull crack after new stringers

I did see a project once where the person actually glassed in transverse bulkheads instead of stringers, using epoxy. The hull was thin enough that when the bulkheads cured, the hull was pulled in between each bulkead. The result was that the bottom appeared "ribbed". It made for horrible handling, and I have no idea if he ever solved the problem. Otherwise, I think you will be just fine using the 'poxy. Good luck...