Fixing Our Old Family Boat; Is It Worth It?

[Ulvinator]

IF I have wood stringers, they appear to be 3/4” plywood. How would I go about learning the exact process of fabricating new stringers and foberglassing them in?

I saw some videos earlier about grinding out the stringers not to damage the hull, but I’m hoping for a comprehensive guide. If I hire someone to do this, I am financially untenable.

I say IF I have wood stringers because my research told me that this was a VEC hull, hence the apprehension and the potential that I simply have nailers for the ski locker....


- DU

 

[steve_h7]

These were a couple of YouTube video series that I learned the most from. It will take some time to watch them all since they're complete step by step restorations... but it really shows you what you'll be in store for:

jmink:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldow-POe97A&list=PL3VcOAbbi5n1gEzUaZF3CiTJs4-21ol2d

FriscoBoater's Garage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kopF4muvF0c&list=PL02C318B574CD948D

 

[Chris51280]

It appears to me that they are wood stringers, I think I can see the plywood in some pictures
Test drill. Since you are convinced that you have a VEC hull it would not hurt, right?
There are several methods on doing this after grinding.

Making templates out of foam board or cardboard and then transfer the shape onto plywood.

Having thread across the left over deck lip and measuring every 6" down to the hull. then transfer that onto plywood.

The cost of rebuilding a boat is not much compared to buying another one that is newer which somebody will charge you alot for since they all say they have no rot. Since you cannot see and feel it there should not be any, correct? Unless you drill holes which no seller will let you do. You could buy one where the stringers are fiberglass only and won't have any rot, but again, they will not be given away. Not sure what the transom is made out of on the newer boats.

We may be a dying breed since the now 15 year old boats become more affordable and wont have any wood that rots away under us.

 

[Ulvinator]

All,

Please do not misunderstand me. I see the wood, plain as day under the deck of the boat.

I also see bulky fiberglass runs in the hull NSEW.

I have already assumed the worst case, where I have to cut out and replace the stringers. A part of my wonders if the bulky parts of the hull running NSEW are the stringers. They are covered in fiberglass.

 

[Chris51280]

Yes, so we're mine of course. Just not capped and your boat was left in the open like so many. Since boat owners think a boat is made of fiberglass nothing rots since they have no idea how they are constructed. The workmanship is just **** poor and not lasting more than 10-15 years. Just enough to be out of warranty and nobody is checking whats underneath anyways. Drainholes that don't go anywhere. Drilled holes that weren't sealed. Standing water. Uncapped stringers. The horror stories go on and on.

Its like with a car.,you don't see the rust until it comes through the paint and by then its done.