considering a project boat...have questions

[RobDar]

I am considering getting a project bass boat. Yea I know...crazy right...I think I would enjoy the project. ( the wife says I am "sick" that way). At any rate... I have a few questions...

1. Many of the older boats have wood stringers. How do you tell whether they are in need of replacement? I understand how to check the transom, that seems straight forward. But if I were to buy and older boat that needs...say...mostly cosmetic work ( new carpet, paint, apholstery etc)...how do you know if the stringers are solid without pulling the floor and giving them a good once over? Is there a way? or would it just be good practice on any old project boat to pull the floors, whether they need it or not, a check this kind of thing?

 

[fishdog4449]

Re: considering a project boat...have questions

If the stringers are that bad, the floor will seem spongy, maybe have holes in it.

 

[GiMLit]

Re: considering a project boat...have questions

If the stringers are that bad, the floor will seem spongy, maybe have holes in it.

Not necessarily. My new toy had good feeling floors but some bumps in the carpet, I pulled up carpet to find fairly new plywood floor - 5 yrs ? (not done real nice but not bad). I pulled it up just to be sure and found stringers had been patched with fence boards and not well either.
I guess it would have gone for sometime as is but I have completely redone stringers and floor (well in process anyway)
Moral of the story you can't really tell on stringers for certain, unless you pull it apart. Solid floor is a very good sign I would think. Spongy floor and you need a floor but stringers ????????? who knows.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: considering a project boat...have questions

Unless you know how to apply fiberglass and like working with it I think an aluminum boat is your best bet. Old fiberglass boats that have been out in the weather for years can crack due to age. When this happins be sure you have your life jacket on because you wont have long before you are swimming.. Ive seen it happin.