Stringers on a 34 foot boat!!!

[Woodard]

After reading through the messages...I was wondering, has anyone attempted to replace the stringers on a 34 foot Sea Ray before. I just pulled the boat out and after having it for 9 years (1986 built) did some checking and my stringers are rotten. Any advice would be great!

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Stringers on a 34 foot boat!!!

This is going to sound a little negative but it may be an issue you have to deal with. Hopefully your stringer problem is limited to just that, a stringer or two. Otherwise, it could involve as much as having to grind away the entire hull exterior fiberglass and rebuilding it. I would start by researching the problem Sea Ray has (or had) with boat hulls that allowed water into the core. Some owners spent tens-of-thousands of $$$ to repair the saturated core problem. From what I have heard, Sea Ray said “not my problem, your outside the warranty period”, but I don't know if this is true. Don’t know what models or years so you should check into it, unless you already know your boat hull is ok.

 

[Woodard]

Re: Stringers on a 34 foot boat!!!

Yep...I am having a moisture reading done on my hull next weekend.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Stringers on a 34 foot boat!!!

18R, explain water in the 'core' of a fiberglass hull.

 

[Woodard]

Re: Stringers on a 34 foot boat!!!

1st question...has anyone ever tried to do stringers on a 34 foot Sea Ray?<br /><br />2nd question...does anyone know how to get the blue prints for an 1986 Sea Ray?

 

[morelee]

Re: Stringers on a 34 foot boat!!!

Replacing structural stringers is a big job, but do-able. It involves removing and replacing the floor, and frequently it becomes necessary to remove the entire deck. The new stringers are then suspended above the bottom of the boat, glassed in, and topped with a new floor. It's important that the hull be well supported, as it can easily warp with the stringers removed.

 

[jimmythekid]

Re: Stringers on a 34 foot boat!!!

check sea rays web site, also check this link for the "core" problems that sea ray has had even as recently as the 2002 models http://www.yachtsurvey.com/structuralissues.htm <br />i have a 23 foot sea ray and it does not have a cored hull, am doing the same thing as you are, found that all the wood needed replacement and it was(is still) a very big job, but doable, just be prepared to remove the entire interior spending lots of $$, and not having your boat for a while mine has been out for 6 weeks now, and will be at least 3 more till i can put it back in mostly due to financial reasons good luck

 

[zzub]

Re: Stringers on a 34 foot boat!!!

I dont think Sea Rays used cored hulls on boats under 50' Several freind of mine have 30',34' two have had striger work done here professionaly 3,500.00 & 4,500.00 They did have to pull engines but not the floors, This was included in the price. One also has high moisture readigs under the front windshield. Agood survyor well tell you what is or isnt wrong. Sea Rays have these problems mostly older <br />models 1989 & older.