Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

[CCrew]

Any idea where I can order or locate 14' length white oak or equiv timbers (1" thick) ?? Local lumberyards look at me like I have three heads when I ask, but I'm also limited to 84Lumber, Home Despot, Lowes since there are no custom millwork shops around. <br /><br />Thanks! Roger<br /><br />BTW... Here's my other boat.. At least this one's almost new, and under warranty!. Kinda hard to launch though!<br /><br />

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

Why 1 inch thick? Is it possible that you could use thicker pieces?<br /><br />Could use marne plywood staggering the joints...<br /><br />My stringer material of choice is kiln dried douglas fir (think i used 2"x12"s) which may be available up to or over 14' length at the home improvement stores...

 

[CCrew]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

"Why 1 inch thick? Is it possible that you could use thicker pieces?"<br /><br />It's certainly structurally possible, and I actually considered 2x8's which is what I'd need to match the height. The factory stringers are 1x's though. <br /><br />Is there an issue with beefing the original or is it best to stay with what was designed?<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />-Roger

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

I would not think there would be any problem in beefing it up other than a little more weight...<br /><br />BTW.. Nice camper..

 

[Hooty]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

With this last repair project I've got into, I'm using a lot of composits and ran across a company making lightweight composit stringers. I can't remember who, right now, but if you're interested, I'll see if I can locate them again.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

The factory stringers are 1x's though.

CC, You Couldn't have Forgoten..........<br /><br /> It's a Bilgeliner........<br /><br />I've always laminated my stringers out of several layers of Plywood, Staggering all the joints.....<br />Laminated wood is Always Stronger than a single Board.....<br />I would think that in a boat the size of yours, 3 layers of 1/2", to give you an overall of an inch + half..... The difference in weight would be little...

 

[CCrew]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

LOL Bondo! Yeah, I almost forgot for a sec.. Thanks for keeping me straight! <br /><br />Snapperbait.. Thanks for the compliment.. It does indeed need that truck to pull it too <br /><br />Hooty, I'd love to know who.. I'd found the ones WestMarine sells, but dimensionally they're not workable. I pondered Seacast, but by the time I prep for that, I've made a stringer, so I might as well use something stout and just do it once. <br /><br />I had kind of discounted the thought of using plywood, for the simple fact that Bilgeliner spliced the existing stringers (oak) with 1/2" ply. The ply was rotted to dust, while the oak for the most part was majoritavely solid. <br /><br />Are you matting between the ply layers, or just resin and clamping them then cutting to size??<br /><br />Thanks!<br />-Roger

 

[1965MT]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

The plywood will work (that's the way Crownline builds them). I decided to use pressure treated decking (before anyone reads me the riot act read the Runabout Renovation). It is 1" thick, 6" wide, and I can get really long boards at Home Depot. I dug through the pile to get the quarter sawn (straight grain) pieces. If you want to get white oak then you can get it from a part time sawyer. They will cut any size you need for a decent price. The only down side is getting the wood dried. Air dried would be fine (about 12% MC for outdoor use). The best way to contact a sawyer is to go to woodmizer.com, get their email address, send them an email telling them that you would like the name of a sawyer in your area. They will send you an email with a name and number to call.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

The stringers I was talking about are the same ones West Marine has, however, here's a website I wish I'd found before I started making my own composit panels. These panels are super-stout and they'll never rot. Have a look.<br /><br /> Spaceage <br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

Hooty: Do you think this material is good for flooring? And how would you use it for stringers?<br />I'm in the process of doing my due diligence for redoing my flooring and what ever else I find once I tear the floor up.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

That stuff's good for 'bout anything you'd want to use it for. Floor, stringers, etc. I don't know if you've looked at my "Composit" post or not but I built a 60" X 22" hatch for my boat and made it out of glass, epoxy and 3/8" Klegecel. If I'd found this stuff first, I'd saved myself beaucoup time and maybe some money. That Thermo-Lite Board ain't gonna be cheap but it'll do the job. <br />I'd get a 1/2" sheet (4X8 or 4X10) and make stringers and floor out of it. If, after looking at it you don't feel 1/2" would be thick enough for stringers, bond two pieces together and make 'em 1". <br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

CC,<br />When I laminated my stringers, I cut to size, Applied a healthy dose of Epoxy, or Resorsinal glue, then screwed it together... A screw every 4", in all directions... In other words, Draw a 4" Grid pattern, then screw at All intersecting points...<br />After it sets-up, Remove the screws,+ Do It Again.....<br /><br />A Single piece of wood Doesn't have the deminsional stability of laminated wood, When the moisture content Changes...And, It Will.....

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Stringer timbers.. How to order/find?

I have the same problem, and decided to use plywood laminated together. at the bow the stringer needs to be 18" and I can't buy a regular piece of wood that would fit. Mine's a Wellcraft Though.