Is my stringer reenforcement plan ok?

brichey

Cadet
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
23
My first restoration (1958 Glasspar) and my first post, so go easy on me. Read many other posts, but there's nothing like getting direct input on the project in question...like having a bunch of smart uncles to call on.

To my surprise the stringers are in pretty good shape. All were only partially covered by fiberglass. The center stringer is only four feet long and will be replaced. The other stringers need a little help near the stern, but at over 50 years old, that is to be expected. Actually, I expected them to be much worse. They are still sturdy and dry, but the tops where they were not glassed over are munged (but the lower 3/4+ are solid), so I am planning to do the following.
1. grind off the existing glass to ensure sister pieces will join nicely
2. measure and cut the sister pieces, using 1-by oak: 4 - two footers and 4 four footers, one on each side of the existing stringers
3. coat the sister pieces with resin, especially the ends, and let dry
4. cut off the munged tops and spray with bleach/water mix to fight back any dry rot
5. glue (3M 5200) and screw sister 1-bys to the existing stringers
6. glue and screw the three cross pieces (frames), also using oak, since each is only 29 inches long and 2 inches wide
7. glass (csm and poly resin) over the unglassed portions

Is this a reasonable plan? What steps am I missing? Should I use PL to bed the sister pieces?

Pics can be viewed at http://whizbangbiz.com/ca/san_diego/glasspar and then click the Progress button and scroll down. Don't bother if you are on dial up, since my pics are 1600x1200 pixels.
 

freddyray21

Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2006
Messages
2,460
Re: Is my stringer reenforcement plan ok?

if the munged tops are from water instrusion imo the entire stringer will need to come out and be replaced. I am not an expert though and many here have done bigger projects. There are some products also on the market that will fill in and contain rot, but don't know how well they work. not much advice I am afraid
 

brichey

Cadet
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
23
Re: Is my stringer reenforcement plan ok?

Thanks for the input.

The plywood flooring was detached from the stringers, and the previous owner simply placed a big piece of sheet metal on top, so I suspect the munging is at least partially due to the grinding between the plywood and the stringers as the floor bubbled up and down as he walked back and forth. When I press a nail into the lower, good portion, the wood is firm and dry. It may have been wet at one time or another, but not too recently.
 
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