Deck/Stringer Replacement

[Pake]

I know there are other (similiar) posts here but I hope you'll let this cadet ask anyways.

I have a 1980 Chaparral 194 boat. The deck was spongy in some places. I was gonna sell it but decided (after reading posts here and seeing YouTube videos) to try to tackle this project.

Well, the deck is wet and rotted, there is rot in the two stringers, standing water in the foam area and termites. I started ripping all the deck off tonight and will get more info/photos then.

Here are my questions. Please answer as detailed as possible as I'm a newb and need all the help I can get.

1. The two stringers are 1" thick pine. Assuming I can get 1" pine in 19' (boat length) lengths, should I use that? If not, what should I use? If plywood, what type? How do I laminate them? Or, should I buy preformed ones? If so, where can I find them?

2. How are these stringers attached to the bottom as well as transom? Is there a particular caulking/epoxy? Do's and dont's?

3. The deck is 1/2" plywood with what appears to be 3/16" thick fiberglass. Should I go with a thicker plywood and thinner fiberglass?

4. Where do I get replacement foam? Some posts I've read suggest a spray in type.

Thanks for the help. Hopefully, with all your help, I'll have her "ship shape" before summer!

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Deck/Stringer Replacement

I know there are other (similiar) posts here but I hope you'll let this cadet ask anyways.

I have a 1980 Chaparral 194 boat. The deck was spongy in some places. I was gonna sell it but decided (after reading posts here and seeing YouTube videos) to try to tackle this project.

Well, the deck is wet and rotted, there is rot in the two stringers, standing water in the foam area and termites. I started ripping all the deck off tonight and will get more info/photos then.

Here are my questions. Please answer as detailed as possible as I'm a newb and need all the help I can get.

1. The two stringers are 1" thick pine. Assuming I can get 1" pine in 19' (boat length) lengths, should I use that? If not, what should I use? If plywood, what type? How do I laminate them? Or, should I buy preformed ones? If so, where can I find them?

You can buy preformed foam stringers from a couple of places. Odds are good you won't want them when you see the price

Replacing the stringers with matching wood is always an ok practice. However, plywood would be stronger than the original if you want to use that. Check many other threads here (search for "laminate stringers") for how-tos on lamination. Be aware that you don't need to get plywood in 19 foot lengths to use it. Look also for threads on "types of plywood" here for info on that, but it breaks down to using marine or exterior grades mostly.

2. How are these stringers attached to the bottom as well as transom? Is there a particular caulking/epoxy? Do's and dont's?

Again, lots of threads on this here. Check for my "unintentional stringer job" and Oops' "Hull extension in progress" thread for info on filleting and glassing in stringers. What resin/epoxy you use is up to you, mostly determined by price and working ability. You can use resin putty for fillets or some people are starting to use "PL Polyurethane" for bedding stringers.

3. The deck is 1/2" plywood with what appears to be 3/16" thick fiberglass. Should I go with a thicker plywood and thinner fiberglass?

Up to you. If what you're looking for is strength, then go with thicker glass . If you want to avoid future rot, then it doesn't matter - what will matter is how well you seal the deck, and maintain that seal over the life of the boat, and also whether or not you provide water somewhere to go when it lands on the deck.

4. Where do I get replacement foam? Some posts I've read suggest a spray in type.

It's sold here on iboats and other places like UScomposites.com as a 2 part mix and pour system. Many here will tell you not to put it back in that way, but rather to use other materials for floatation. A big part of the reason your boat is rotten now is that water got into the foam and couldn't get out.

Thanks for the help. Hopefully, with all your help, I'll have her "ship shape" before summer!

Good luck How fast it gets done depends on how dedicated you are. My own recent work took about two months of 10 hours per week to get done, and it wasn't a complete gut and redo.

Erik