stringer joint help

bkeith66

Cadet
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
28
Got ahead of myself doing the stringers on a 16 foot boat. Made two angled butt joints & one scarf joint that is only about two inches long. The three joints are dowel rodded & peanut buttered together with epoxy.The stringers are covered with 9oz cloth - 18oz woven - 9oz cloth. Was thinking of bolting butt blocks on all three with peanut butter. Not sure wether that's overkill. If not, would the blocks be sufficent or is there a better way of going about this? Below are pic's of the joints. Thanks.<br /> http://xs.to/xs.php?f=DSCN0283m.jpg&h=xs201&d=06235 <br /> http://xs.to/xs.php?f=DSCN0284m.jpg&h=xs201&d=06235
 

Chinewalker

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Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: stringer joint help

Hi Brian,<br /> On mine I overlapped the joints when I built the stringers. This allowed me to make 12-foot stringers out of 8-foot sheets. I used 1/2" plywood with 4-foot overlap so that each butt joint had plywood backing built right in. <br /> I did leave the bow 3-foot portion of the keel in place on mine and I did run butt blocks on either side to tie it into my new keel. I used a foot-long chunk of plywood on either side, screwed in place and bedded in peanut butter epoxy. It ain't gonna hurt to add them on yours and no one will ever see them, so go for it... Better to have them than to hit a wave at some point and hear a crack as those dowels let go. Probably won't happen that way, but who knows... It's certainly not going to add much weight, maybe a pound or two at most. Lots of upside and no downside...<br />- Scott
 

bkeith66

Cadet
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
28
Re: stringer joint help

Hello,<br />I had the same deal with the high side wood on transom. Took a lot of widdling with a chisel & grinding. <br />Figured i should had taken my time & done those joints right the first time. A little more work will be well worth the peace of mind when done. Getting far enough along now where the excitement is starting to build. Already bought a pair of water ski's & some friends pitched in for a tube.<br />Redoing this boat has been a challenging experience, but i don't think i could turn around & do another one any time soon. Your a trooper man ;)
 

Chinewalker

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Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: stringer joint help

Hi Brian,<br /> Not sure how much of a trooper I'll be when this one is done. Three boats in 5 years is a lot... I might just splash the 18 and use it for a few years before I jump into another project. We had talked of a small cuddy, but even the 18 is tight in the shop (when the shop is even available). I've been doing most of my work this year outdoors as the shop (space donated by my folks) is in use with other things and my garage won't quite take the 18 and allow passage around. The missus didn't appreciate that aspect...<br />- Scott
 

sport15

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
95
Re: stringer joint help

If your scarphs are less than an 8:1 than use butt blocks.. For putting two sheets of half inch ply together from feather edge to top (of the half inch dimension) should be no less than 4 inches... Try and keep the weight to a minimum :) ! Really nice job from the pics.. What type of hull is it?
 

bkeith66

Cadet
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
28
Re: stringer joint help

Hi,<br />Sport 15,<br />Thanks for the compliment. It is a 75 starcraft american 16. The one scarf joint i did is only about 2 to 3 inches & the stringers are 3/4 ply. Put the blocks on all three last night. Got a little carried away with the screws. :D <br /><br />Scott,<br />I can relate to not having the room. I removed the trailer tongue the first day it went in the garage, right after i busted my shin on it sqeezing between it & the overhead door. :( That hurt like no ones business.<br /><br />Thanks both for the help.<br /> http://xs.to/xs.php?f=DSCN0285.JPG&h=xs302&d=06242
 

Chinewalker

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: stringer joint help

Hi Brian,<br /> Yep, I've got a few dents in my shins, too. The 15 was nice, as it fit perfectly. My 18 fits, but there's no walk-around room. I have pulled the transom end in just to work in the shade or out of the rain (which we seem to have had every weekend this spring!). I burned up two sander belts last night getting the transom area cleaned up. Still have a little more to do before I turn the corner and start putting wood in instead of taking wood out...<br />- Scott
 
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