Everybody talks of wood stringers; could they potentially be all FG? (project ro

[Bodhi]

I recently bought what I believe is either a Godfrey or Hurricane deck boat, 19' 1983 type. Apparently everything really is bigger in TX, where I bought it, even the "slow leaks". So now, after ripping out all the old flooring, made easier by years of rot, I haven't found wood stringers. Instead, I have two M-shaped FG "stringers" that run from transom all the way forward. They aren't connected directly to the transom, motor is OMC sterndrive, so no transom weight to speak of. The only wood, other than the decking, was several 2x4 pieces that ran perpendicular to them, set into glassed in grooves. I think the M shapes are full of foam, because they have the vent holes drilled in 'em. I know nothing about foam, but I'd be pretty certain mine is soaked. If these are foam, is it possible to dry them, and if not how important would it be to get it out of there? Would there be a way to dissolve it without hacking up the FG? Like everyone else, I don't want to have to go through this again.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Everybody talks of wood stringers; could they potentially be all FG? (projec

Re: Everybody talks of wood stringers; could they potentially be all FG? (projec

Its not important at all to get them either out of there or dried out. A lot of new boats are being built without a stick of wood in them, and that includes the stringers. Foam core stringers can be every bit as strong as wood stringers and will certainly out last their wooden counterparts. The foam in the stringers is only there to define their shape, its obviously not there to provide any strength. So the fact that it has got wet really doesn't make any difference. With wooden stringers the strength is in the wood and the fiber glass cover is just there to stop water from beginning the rot process. Of course the problem is that once water does find its way into the stringer the wood will rot. Once that happens they loose their strength and the flimsy coat of glass can't provide any meaningful strength. With foam core stringers the design was such that it was the glass that gave the strength right from day one, the foam was just something to hold the shape while the glass was setting up. Once the glass was set it really didn't make any difference that the foam was even still in there, let alone if it was wet or dry.<br /><br />By the way, you already intuitively knew this but maybe just hadn't thought about it much. Fiberglass really gets its strength from its curves. Flat sections of glass will flex all over the place but curved sections are stable as a rock. So your "M" shapped stringers are probably awfully strong. The foam is meaningless though, as long as the glass stringers themselves are securly attached to the hull.

 

[Captain12pk]

Re: Everybody talks of wood stringers; could they potentially be all FG? (projec

Re: Everybody talks of wood stringers; could they potentially be all FG? (projec

Actually, the foam in the stringer system has two functions. It does give support to the stringer. The foam in your boat is probably water logged. And all that water does create extra weight, slowing down the boat. The foam in time would dry out but may also be rotted as well. It does rot. The foam is also in there for floating. In the late 80's it was mandated that all boats be made with foam in them. If you can get the old foam out, they mak expansion foam that is water resistant, much like the foam used by the main boat manufacturers.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Everybody talks of wood stringers; could they potentially be all FG? (projec

Re: Everybody talks of wood stringers; could they potentially be all FG? (projec

There are so many different methods of construction that it really depends on your specific manufacturer, whether or not the foam is structural or not. In some brands, even the wood in the stringers was put there mainly for a mold with the outer fiberglass providing the rigidity to the hull. In some stringers, the wood is not even glued to the hull itself, just attached to the overlying glass. It has been debated which provides the most support, the wood in the stringers or the overlying glass. It all depends on the design, type of wood(or foam), the method of attachement, and the shape and thickness of the overlying glass. I would try to contact your specific manufacturer to determine the possible structural soundness of your hull.

 

[serch305]

Re: Everybody talks of wood stringers; could they potentially be all FG? (projec

Re: Everybody talks of wood stringers; could they potentially be all FG? (projec

posted July 14, 2004 02:38 AM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> I i hope ni can get help i have a boat is a galaxie 1981 i bought it with all the deck roten i did open the deck and i found that the playwood it was desenegrated when i open the deck i found all wet and roten stringers i thing is their name they are two 2'' by 6'' studs of wood.<br />if they are weaked the boat will brake in alf or the hull will crack at the engine ares?<br />the engine is a gm it looks like 350 is very big , any advices on this? I did cut the pece of stringers (the most roten and i just attached the new piece of stringerand cover it with fiberglass and put the new deck and cover all over with fiberglass and resing a lot and i geting ready nto put the carpet but the other day it pop up in my mine the those stringers they are in two pieces they might cause to brake the hull at the time the boat jump over a wave or some thin like that