Drainage for outside of stringers

[crazyray]

I have just finished replacing the stringers in a 1977 Galaxie Tri-hull I/O. I was thinking of drilling a drainage hole thru each stringer near rear of boat to drain any water that accumulates in compartment outside of stringer. These were full of water when I removed floor.....rotted the stringers and all.....I do plan on re fiberglassing the floor after it is is installed but this didn't stop the water the 1st time....would this be a negative or positive thing to do.....these areas are filled with foam but still would like to drain them .....should I?......will it affect stability of boat?...What of the event of bilage filling with water ...better to drain these or to just try and reseal like builder did.......

 

[feathercrafter]

Re: Drainage for outside of stringers

If it were me I would consider a thru-way for the water. But you would need to seal them all the way around so that they are isolated from the stringer material as you channel it through. Especially if it was just a poor design that was prone to rot. The other school would be to seal them completely and then install inspection hatches in the deck so that you can peek in every once in a while and shop vac it if need be.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Drainage for outside of stringers

sounds like a hecka project crazyray. holes will help an they won't hurt the structure any . alotta boats have this. i would west systems ( thin expoxy ) the heck out of EVERYTHING 2 coats.. even inside said holes. glue down floor with thicken 'poxy ,, thickened with silica , micro ballons, better yet, milled fibreglass. safety is a must,, lung, eye,skin.. when you apply your glasscloth on floor , DON'T use polyster resin . that's a failed science.. IT DON'T WORK. it does'nt stick permently to wood & it does'nt stave off rot at all.. it still lets rot causing water molecues to pass rite thru .. use said thin epoxy only ... make sure to apply it to the flip side of the plywood,also .. good luck

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Drainage for outside of stringers

My 72 John Allmand has them and many say Allmand is the best built boat hull ever. By the way,just did a full restore over the last year and the stringers are as solid as the day there built. Mark