Stringer Replacement

[Lamarg33]

Hello,

I have this 14? 1979 Sear Fish and Game. I?ve removed all of the rotted wood. And I?m ready to start putting it back together. However, I?ve run into a problem.
I was hoping to be able to use the old stringers as a template for the new ones. But when I got the fiberglass cut back, they were pretty much a pile of mush. There?s enough left of the center one to use. So I?m okay there. I?m having trouble figuring out the two that run the down the sides. The old side stringers appear to have been 1 ? x 1 ? x 110?. I cut the new ones that size. But of course they don?t fit the contour of the boat.
My question is this: should they follow the contour of the boat? Or is it okay for there to be a small gap between them and the sides?

Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stringer Replacement

Ayuh,....

A Stringline will give you something to measure from, for marking,+ cutting....

Small gaps are actually kinda a Good thing...
They leave places to hide wherever Glue you choose to install them...
Key word is "small"...

 

[oops!]

Re: Stringer Replacement

yup.....bondo-s right....

if it is a fiberglass boat....you will need to keep the stringers off the hull a smidgeon.....

if the stringers contact the hull its called a hard joint.....not good.

some people use shims to keep the stringers off the hull.....bed most areas....let harden pull shims...and bed the rest.......pl construction glue.....or peanut butter resin works great....

there is also a post and scribe method of making the contour of the hull with the stringers......it is photographed and explained in detail on the hull ext in progress thread......it will take you a while to find it in there....i think page 20 or so....it also has the recipy for peanut butter.

 

[Lamarg33]

Re: Stringer Replacement

Thanks for the info. It?s nice to have a place where your questions can be answered so quickly.

 

[83ProLine]

Re: Stringer Replacement

Thanks for the info. It?s nice to have a place where your questions can be answered so quickly.

I will second that!

Regards,

James

 

[waterwezl]

Re: Stringer Replacement

I simply taped string across the hull every 12" or so where the floor was and measured down from the string to the hull. Then subtract 1/4" - 1/2" to allow room for PB to bed them in with. Make the marks on the ply then freehand the curve between the marks. It doesnt have to be dead on perfect just close.

Just shim them off the hull like oops suggested and get 'em in. It's a bit time consuming but anything worth doing is worth doing well. Keep us informed with your progess and don't forget the PICTURES!

Good luck,

Jason

 

[Lamarg33]

Re: Stringer Replacement

I?ve got another newbie question. The old stringers left a slight discoloration on the hull. If I lay the new stringers were the others had been, I get the gap that you see in the photo. I know that the previous owner replaced the stringers about 15 years ago. So I don?t know if that?s the way the factory installed them or not. Should the stringer be affixed to the side? Or should the gap be filled with foam?

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq72/Lamarg33/ADD043.jpg

 

[waterwezl]

Re: Stringer Replacement

I'm not sure why there is a stringer that close to the side like that. Does the floor go that high? I thought the stringers would be for center support and the floor decking was 'glassed right to the side.

Jason