Stratos pics stringers, transom, floors

[lekslk]

HI There,

I have a stratos 181 that is in need of some repair, & I have never done a project of this size before & have a couple questions. I need to install a new transom, floor, & possibly stringers. How many layers of fiberglass is recommended for these areas. The original pieces look to have 1 layer. What type of mat or cloth is best to use. I guess I might as well post some pictures if anyone is interested. I pulled the cap (top) off the boat today to expose the underside & it was not real pretty. The foam boxes are rotted out, & foam is wet. I will get it all out tomarrow. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Lance

 

[J. Mark]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

good luck with your project.

Stringers need about 30 oz of material in my opinion. If using polyester fiberglass resin, that is a layer of mat/CSM, a layer of cloth, a layer of mat, a layer of cloth, a layer of mat and a final layer of cloth. Material weight is measured per yard. Resin to cloth ratios are enough resin to wet it out completely and eliminate all air bubbles. About 45/55 cloth to resin is ideal IIRC but hard to achieve. If you get a 40/60 mix, you'll be fine.

Lots of folks use 1708 a cloth with a mat backing sewn to it that adds a lot of weight and strength in a hurry. One layer of this on a transom is probably enough, though I would consider 2 layers on the stringers. The transom should have a three layer tab to the hull with increasing coverage with each layer. (4 inches on hull 1st layer, 8 second, 12 on the third. If done in this manner, yor transom should be rock solid.

Floors just need a single layer of csm and a covering of a thin cloth or "veil"

If using epoxy, CSM/mat is not necessary or even desirable.

I am covering my stringers with 3 layers of 10z biaxial cloth. This is for the sides and tabbing to the hull. the top of the stringers will likely only get 2 layers. I am using epoxy due to working in weather too cool for polyester or vinylester resin and working outside. Epoxy is stronger, but unnecessarily so and more expensive. I only suggest epoxy if there is a specific reason it is necessary. Poly will not stick to epoxy, epoxy can and probably will stick to anything and everything.

You can find lots of differing opinions on how to do it, and many will be right even though they will differ. Search, read a lot and then decide. the folks here can get you through it.

 

[lekslk]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Thanks for your input I really appreciate it. Are the stringers supposed to be installed like the transom with a different length of lap to the hull? How much would you need to sand between coats, if any?
Thanks

 

[jonesg]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Save yourself a ton of work...

If you use resin without wax you don't need to do any sanding between layups, the resins stays slightly sticky until a final layer of resin with wax is applied ( final coat).

I buy polyester resin with the wax packaged seperately,
then just only add wax for final coat and that saves buying 2 types of resin or sanding between layups.

http://www.fiberglasssite.com/servlet/the-74/Premium-Polyester-Resin-1/Detail

They also have a free video DVD on glassing you might find usefull.

 

[jonesg]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Heres some video links.
JUST CUT AND PASTE THESE TO YOUR BROWSER !

Howto: Building a Transom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh6RkYNxiHw

Stinger Repair Assessment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH4Qhr2mEIw

Fiberglass Repair How to Part I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N7YMr6E564

Fiberglass Repair Howto Part II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrxhGYXEjkA

McClarin Plastics - How to Repair Fiberglass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBxnaY0mFMk

How To Fiberglass * Go Fast Fiberglass COWL INDUCTION SCOOP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSfftRVKwYY

How To Fiberglass #4 * Mold Making * Go Fast Fiberglass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEa5_WHQZo0

How To Fiberglass Part 2 * Rat Rod Scoop Go Fast Fiberglass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s80aYo3esQ

How To Fiberglass * Harley Davidson * Go Fast Fiberglass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5hgStrvaOw

How To Fiberglass * Battery Box * Derby Car * DEMO * CHEVY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INKzbu9jKH4

How To Fiberglass * Part 5 * PVA * Go Fast Fiberglass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62AGalE5P6g

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

The last 6 or 8 of those links have been removed by the youtube user.

 

[J. Mark]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Thanks for your input I really appreciate it. Are the stringers supposed to be installed like the transom with a different length of lap to the hull? How much would you need to sand between coats, if any?
Thanks

I'm rebuilding an inboard, so my stringers will be doing the work of a transom (transmitting prop power to hull) on an I/O or outboard, so I am using progressive layers-for an outboard it would probably be overkill.

 

[lekslk]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Thanks for all the info, I did not know about the wax being in the resin. I have all my foam & transom out now. The stringers are pretty good in the back, & bad in the center where the floor was on them. I am trying to see what to do with them. The hull is still damp from the foam, will this be hard to get a good bond to?
Thanks allot

 

[lekslk]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

I am in the process of installing the stringers. I have the outside 2 glued in with PL. I was thinking about mixing up some thickened polyester resin without wax for the final 3 center ones to get a faster cure time, & so I don't have to worry about the glass bond over the PL. Is this a good idea? What kind of resin mix would you suggest for bedding the stringers with poly resin?
Thanks

 

[92excel]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

search peanut butter.. people use it for bedding stringers and filling in the hull deck joint.. i know oops describes his mixture in the hull extention thread.

 

[lekslk]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

HI Everyone
I have my stringers in & I put 1 layer of 1708 w/ polyresin down each side. I wanted to put another layer of 1708 over the whole stringer (completely wraping it), but I could not get it to lay down worth a darn. Should I just put another layer down the sides & cover the top with mat, or is there a trick to get that 1708 to wrap around the whole thing. I have had really good luck with the 1708 around corners & stuff, but it gave me a whuppin trying to go over the whole thing. Any Ideas?

 

[lekslk]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

I can't load my pictures cause they are to big, so I put them on photobucket so I can share my pain. Am I doin OK?

http://s662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/lekslk/?start=0

 

[Mark42]

Re: Stratos pics stringers, transom, floors

Any glass does not want to wrap around sharp corners. It tends to pull away leaving an air gap. If you can, take a router with a 3/8" rounding bit and round over the tops of the stringers. This will let the 1708 wrap around nice. And don't forget to go back and roll it all down just as its setting. That helps keep it in place. Another option is to tack on a strip of half round molding to the top of the stringers. But that will add about 3/8 inch to the height of a 3/4" thick stringer, so plan accordingly with the deck.

Really nice work so far. Great knee braces on the center stringers. That is going to be amazingly strong.

I didn't see any holes in the stringers to let water drain to the center/bilge. Not too late to make a few holes with a 1/2" drill as close to the hull as possable every few feet, then clean out the rest of the plywood with a razor knife or dremmel tool, etc. Paint inside of hole with resin to seal the wood.

 

[92excel]

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

Re: New project: Fiberglass for floors & transom

HI Everyone
I have my stringers in & I put 1 layer of 1708 w/ polyresin down each side. I wanted to put another layer of 1708 over the whole stringer (completely wraping it), but I could not get it to lay down worth a darn. Should I just put another layer down the sides & cover the top with mat, or is there a trick to get that 1708 to wrap around the whole thing. I have had really good luck with the 1708 around corners & stuff, but it gave me a whuppin trying to go over the whole thing. Any Ideas?

The 1708 wont make the tight bend.. depending how wide your stringers are you may get away with routing the tops to make it easier on the 1708. Or you can just put another layer on the sides and cap the top.

 

[lekslk]

Re: Stratos pics stringers, transom, floors

Thanks for the tips. I figured the trouble was do to the heavy cloth but just did not know for sure. I tried beveling the edges with a grinder, but it was not allot better. I may just add a layer to the sides & cap the top with mat. I have not put in the drain holes through the stringers yet, but I do plan to. I was thinking about going through with a 1" holesaw filling the hole with peanutbutter & drilling a hole through that. I still have a layer of plywood to put in the transome yet. I'ts nice to know I have'nt screwed up to bad yet.
Thanks guys
Lance

 

[92excel]

Re: Stratos pics stringers, transom, floors

I have not put in the drain holes through the stringers yet, but I do plan to. I was thinking about going through with a 1" holesaw filling the hole with peanutbutter & drilling a hole through that.

That would give you a good seal on the hole... another idea is to rip some PVC pipe in half and glass it through the stringer

 

[lekslk]

Re: Stratos pics stringers, transom, floors

That would give you a good seal on the hole... another idea is to rip some PVC pipe in half and glass it through the stringer

will the glass stick to the PVC?