Stringer cracks... I Need Repair suggestions

[Krfoote]

My Cabin floor was completely rotted out so i pulled all the wood and am ready to reinstall the new cabin, However below are some damages to one stringer that have me a little worried. (see pictures)
The stringer is hollow, its has a 1/4 guide balsa wood running the length of the boat glassed over to the floor to create the frame and it is still completely solid and infexible, these are 2 spots that are all on the same stringer in about a 3 foot span beneath the cabin, i am not sure what caused them but i am fairly certain there is no serious damage, there are no cracks or any evidence of stress anywhere else.

I was thingking about grinding down the area around them and just reglassing to the same thickness but i am not sure if there is a better option. If i just put some epoxy putty or something in there to fill the holes would that be a better option?

suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Stringer cracks... I Need Repair suggestions

Drill a small hole in the stringer and look for wet rotted wood or blackened wood. Drill the holes in a few places up and down the stringer. If the wood is good (ie north and south of that spot) then you could grand out the bad and re-fiberglass.

You could even (the cheap way) add strips of wood on the sides of that area and glass it all together.

Hopefully you have caught it all in time to get away with a quicker less painful repair.

 

[Krfoote]

Re: Stringer cracks... I Need Repair suggestions

Thanks thats exactly what i was hoping to hear.
The stringer is completely Hollow, its and older boat and there is no core in there at all other than a small strip of wood at the top about a 1/4 inch thick and thats it, and its still perfectly good wood everywhere except those spots so i think i am good, But i liked your idea of glassing some strips of wood around it.

If i can sand it down a bit and clean the whole area up i might just do that.