stringer question

[proshine43]

hello all. i have a 1990 19' open bow galaxy. i've read on here that the stringers run the entire length of the boat. after pulling the rotting floor i found that they onlyu go from the transom to about the middle of the boat, then undr the bow they put a gas tank sitting on a platform. is this safe or is it a hack job. I cant tell but looks like they cut the stringers to put the gas tank in. also the pipe thats fiberglassed to the bottom of the hull has the gas line running thru it. is that safe? they closed up the front of this pipe with foam causing the bow of the boat to retain water. after pulling the gas tank, ripping up the gas tank platform and removing the wet foam i found daylight shining through the fiberglass hull, so now i have to build up the hull with fiberglass. that pipe is suppose to be open, right? the gas line is corroded from sitting in water so long, so now that needs to be replaced. does that usually run thru that pipe, or do i have to reroute it? thanks for your help

 

[proshine43]

Re: stringer question

I'll post pics tonight of my situation. My kids will be on this boat so i want it as safe as possible. Thanks

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: stringer question

I will try to answer after you post pics. But sounds like a hack job, you did good by removing the items to be inspected, and now just keep going from there.

 

[proshine43]

Re: stringer question

ok guys heres apic. the arrows show where the stringers end. the outline is where they installed the gas tank. please help. do those stringers need to go all the way to the front? its a 19 gln gas tank. if i have to replace the stringers because theyu cut them, where does the gas tank usually go? thanks for your help

 

[proshine43]

Re: stringer question

Anybody have advise for me? I need to get my purchase list going. Thanks

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: stringer question

that looks to be the intended area for the tank.....but stringer are intended to extend the length of the boat. unless there is evidence like tool marks in the wood and glass then I would think it was like that...

 

[proshine43]

Re: stringer question

So its ok if the stringers only go halfway up the boat? Sorry for all the questions, this is my first restore project. I want it to be safe. I dont want it to split in half on my family. Can you guys post pics of your hull and stringers so i can get an idea of what im dealing with, hopefully with the gas tank in place .thanks again.

 

[proshine43]

Re: stringer question

i want to start rebuilding this thing this weekend, starting with either replacing or refiberglassing those stringers, what do you guys think? The stringers that are there are in great shape, i just need to find out if they're to short. Thanks for your time again.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: stringer question

follow my thread, get some ideas from the pictures i posted and go from there....

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=404575

All I can say is that I understand your enthusiasm, however dont get ahead of yourself and set small goals, like first maybe removing the cap, that will allow you lots of room to work and do whatever you want to do. I dont know if your gas tank belongs there or not, dosnt really matter if you open up your boat you can redisgn the stringers to be continuous and put the tank somewhere else I dont know....but research and read at least my thread and 3 other restoration threads before picking up a tool.

 

[proshine43]

Re: stringer question

Hello, I've got the cap raised up on 2x6s so I can work under the bow. My first project is either removing those stringers if they're not safe or if they are safe I want to build up the fiberglass that rotted away when they let the boat sit with water in the hull. My obstacle is not knowing if its ok if the stringer length is ok. They stop half way. Will this compromise the hull structure or is it fine? I appreciate all your help. I would have never made it this far without this forum. Thanks again.