Restoring a 1973 17’ Kona

[jm2004]

This past year I’ve been restoring a 1973 17’ Kona with a 1965 75 hp Johnson that I rebuilt and is running great. I’m new to boats and I’ve never done this kind of thing before so I’m learning as I go. I recently cut the top cap about half way down the length of the boat so I would be able to lift it up and access the transom. I cut the floor out first and then cut the transom out from the inside as it was completely rotten and needed to be replaced. I plan on replacing the transom with marine plywood using polyester (I know the benefits of epoxy but this project is on a tight budget) with alternating layers of 1.5 oz CSM and 10 oz cloth and the floor with exterior ply covered with 1.5 oz CSM. What my concern is though is the stringer. I’ve heard if the hull isn’t properly supported it can bow. It’s on a bunk trailer but the trailer has rollers along the keel. Do you think that it needs to be supported in addition to the trailer? And also would you recommend finishing the transom and reattaching the top cap before removing the stringer for strength? As you can see in one of the pictures I had to remove a section of the stringer already to replace the transom but I assumed that small section wouldn’t matter

Thanks in advance

 

[twistedwrench78]

I am also getting ready to replace my stringers, it’s a 1973 Silverline Comoro. I have the same question regarding doing the stringers while it’s still on the trailer. I do not have bunks, just rollers.
I see this post is a few months old and I was wondering if you have done your stringers yet. Did you do it on the trailer or support the boat another way?

I am sorry I can’t answer any of your questions because I am also a first time boat owner and learning as I go.

 

[jm2004]

I actually did replace my stringers. I moved the trailer into my flat garage and measured from the keel to the garage floor. After I cut the stringers out I measured again to make sure it hadn’t bowed. It didn’t even move an 1/8 of inch so I decided to put the new stringers in and glass them down. It turned out great with no issues.