Stringer issue

[mejim707]

Ok, I got this boat for cheap. IT runs great but the floor had rot. I took the floor out and noticed the the exposed section of the stringer in the storage hole had a bit of rot on it. The picture attached is the other stringer on the other side of the storage hole. You can see where there was a cut away for the factory to install a 1 x 4 section of wood to act as a floor support. On the other side, the driver side, there was rot on the stringer. About an inch from the top of the fiber glass casing down and inside the fiber glass casing extending from the edge of the cut away inwards about 3 inches in both directions was rotted. Also, from the floor up about 1 inch extending from the edge of the fiber glass casing inward to the front of the boat about 3 inches was rotted. There is about 3 inches high of non rotted, but wet wood still left there for the stringer. The wood does however have a break in it right down the center of the cut away. From what I can see all the stringers look, or feel, strong. I took a screw driver and began attempting to stab them to test strength (I was told to use an ice pick - dunno). Also, since the floor is out (picture doesn't show the floor removed), I have been walking on the stringers and they feel solid. I was told by Petzolds that there is a type of fluid you could inject into a small section of stringer like this to make it strong again. I don't have the budget to replace stringers and gut the entire boat. Is this something that "NEEDS" to be completely torn out and replaced or since there is strong wood in most of the stringer could I just repair this section? I know that this is a stupid question and yes if I had the means I would gut the entire boat and replace everything but I don't know how and don't have that kind of money plus most of everything in the boat looks ok. Thanks for the info in advance. Here is the image >

 

[JCF350]

Re: Stringer issue

If all that is rotted is the center section there. You can cut out the rotted part and fit another piece in. Make the end cuts on an 45 degree (for screws). Then cut and fit a sister piece for that whole section.

 

[mejim707]

Re: Stringer issue

Thanks for the super fast reply! Now, what do you mean about a sister piece? So, I would cut that section out back to good wood, Fit new wood in the and screw it in place, fiber glass it all in then add a longer 1 x 4 to the side of the stringer and glass that in to add structural integrity? Also, are there any other methods to check the "Integrity" of your stringers?

This is my first boat and got if for free when I bought a practically new trailer for $400. After replacing the starter relay, drive bellow, adding the drain plug and replacing the raw water impeller this baby runs strong and smooth! It's funny how a little dry rot on the floor and a bad relay could make someone think the boat is complete junk.

The dry rot came from a bad cover allowing water / snow to get in through the rear. Thanks again for the help.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Stringer issue

Thanks for the super fast reply! Now, what do you mean about a sister piece? So, I would cut that section out back to good wood, Fit new wood in the and screw it in place,

with epoxy

then add a longer 1 x 4

use one of the same thickness and match the entire section as much as possible, epoxy (layer of mat in between helps with small gaps) and fasten with screws or clamp it.

to the side of the stringer and glass that in to add structural integrity?

yep

Also, are there any other methods to check the "Integrity" of your stringers?

drill a few small holes check for moisture and refill with epoxy.

Carpenters call this process "scabbing".
But they don't work on boats.

 

[mejim707]

Re: Stringer issue

One last thing, I will do as suggested. I am sort of worried about what I will find but am confident that it is "good". If I do find moisture am I DOA? Does that mean that everywhere I find moisture the stringer requires replacement or is a small amount acceptbe so long as the stringer is not rotted. I will however make sure that everything is properly sealed even though the factory neglected it.

 

[oops!]

Re: Stringer issue

wet on wood is ok...rot is not.......dry before you fix. the process above will work great.

if you find wet foam in the boat....that is not ok....its all gotta come out...(it will not dry)...if you leave it ....it will ruin your boat in a year or two

 

[mejim707]

Re: Stringer issue

the plot thickens... Ok, there was water touching the foam, but, there was a drilled hole right to it for drainage! from what I can see, there is a "pipe" that extends in the lowest part of the "V" from between the pass and drivers dash boards in the floor all the way to the back where there is another hole drilled to allow water to drain out. There was water touching the foam but the foam seems dry. I don't even know what to do now... What the heck. The Volvo engine and out drive work great but the foam had water touching it and the stringers had a little rot but are still hard, at least I can't break them or stick anything through them. Ugh

 

[oops!]

Re: Stringer issue

thats great, yer doin good.......


take a core sample of the foam.....in a few spots, if you need to know how.....search core sample.....

you really need to know if it is wet anywhere

 

[mejim707]

Re: Stringer issue

i will do as suggested. I will take a core sample and post back the findings. Thanks for the assistance even though the replys aren't always pretty.

 

[mejim707]

Re: Stringer issue

bummed... Ok, I attempted to shove a hollow broom handle in the foam but it wasnt pulling anything out. So, I shoved my fingers in and it is wet in the foam toward the bottom. I don't have the know how to replace my crap or even to rebuild the entire boat. What do people do when water gets into the boat where it shouldn't? From what I've seen at that point you're done. My stringers look ok but is the absolute only way to get the water out to take everything out of the boat and rebuild the entire thing? Even if the stringers are cased and not wet can the water in the foam destroy the boat? Oh my goodness what have I done....

 

[JCF350]

Re: Stringer issue

Started a new learning experience. If you can use hand tools you can do these kind of repairs. Dang sure won't won't be needing any squares.

First step? check the restore forum (don't let the chainsaws scare you) then start getting the foam out. Nothing says you gotta put foam back in.

Edit: Wet foam doesn't mean bad stringers. from the looks of your pic the longitudinal stringers are good shape.

 

[mejim707]

Re: Stringer issue

Just drilled holes in stringers. I marked everything I drilled so I could refill with resin. So, foam is wet and so is inside of stringers. What seems to be light colored damp saw dust is coming out when I drill. Every stringer seems so strong and does not sound hollow. Is there any way that the heat of the summer sun will shine upon this boat and dry it's sorrows? Will the foam dry ever? Don't tell me I have a hunk of fiberglass with bad wood / foam and strong engine and outdrive. What now? HELP me...

 

[mejim707]

Re: Stringer issue

This is the Free boat

This is the Volvo Penta aq125a

This is the cut away floor. Not completed but enought to depress

Drilled holes in a stringer. The chalk is where the holes are drilled and the saw dusk was damp.

This is the drivers side stringer where most of the rot shows. I cleaned all the wood smoosh away to expose only the "Hard" "good" wood.

And the #$%@! foam...

 

[JCF350]

Re: Stringer issue

Let her dry, fix the wood. Go boating!

 

[mejim707]

Re: Stringer issue

so, if you're suggesting that I replace the wood in the stringers then is it true that you need a sort of felt bedding for the new wood stringers so if you hit a wave the boat doesn't crack?

 

[JCF350]

Re: Stringer issue

On your hull I would just repair the damaged areas using the sistering method. On the long stringers extend the sister piece 10" or so beyond the the repair. The piece with the circles on it oughta be replaced.

Felt? = Mat http://www.iboats.com/MAS_Fiberglas...1396216--**********.077495230--view_id.342217

 

[mejim707]

Re: Stringer issue

Ok, another stupid question. Please excuse it, but hey, every dumb question you answer puts another tick on your post counter.

Here it is, if the wood in the stringer is still light colored and strong but when I drill a hole it seems like moist saw dust comes out, does that mean without a doubt that if the wood is slightly moist in there that when it fully dries the wood will no matter what be dry rotted, punky and useless? Just asking. I ask because the exposed wood in the above pictures is dark colored and has been saturated. It is drying but is still strong like Bull. Shouldn't it crumble in my hand when I try to break it? I am so dumb with this stuff but I'm learning a lot and love every second of this. I am getting experience I never thought I would and thank you for the help! This little boat is just the beginning of a long life of boating. One day I'll get a ship... Until then

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Stringer issue

If the wood turns dark, that means rot is setting in. If the wood is still strong (ie: not turning into mush ir dust when dry), it might be saved. People have poured antifreeze on the wood to kill the rot. You might be able to get away with this to slow the rot down. That way you can patch it up and go boating. Sooner or later, all of it will have to come out though.​

 

[Nandy]

Re: Stringer issue

My approach will be, put an unfinished cheap deck on it, go fishing/boating/whatever then come back off season and let's work on it. The damage that you describe is not such that I would miss the boating season. Leave that for the off season.

 

[Coors]

Re: Stringer issue

It will never dry. sorry.