wet stringer

remus

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2005
Messages
20
I have acquired a 1988 spotcraft cuddy cabin. I found that the stringers are notched at the transom and glassed over then a drain hole was cut to drain the outside compartment between stringer and hull. The problem is that they didn't seal the bottom of the notched stringer when they cut the hole in the glass. I can stick my finger in the top of the hole and feel the bare stringer wood. It doesn't feel rotted but it is damp. I figured I should cut the glass back a foot or so and try to dry that part of the stinger out, then glass it back and seal it up. Someone told me that if that part of the stringer is wet, the whole stringer is wet. Ride it till it rots then replace stringers. Not what I wanted to hear. Any opinions? I sure would like an alternate solution. Thanks for your help.
 

prockvoan

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 27, 2004
Messages
512
Re: wet stringer

How long can you leave the boat out of the water?Its going to take a long time to dry out even if you cut back the glass!Run it till it rots out.Every time you take it out of the water,pull the plug,lift the bow up as high as you can for it to drain out and it will last you for years to come.
 

jimmythekid

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
331
Re: wet stringer

if thats the ONLY place where water is getting in, and its ONLY damp in that place ONLY, id say ride it till it rots. Do what prockvoan says, only keep it covered when not in use.<br /><br />prockvoan Nice sig by the way
 

remus

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2005
Messages
20
Re: wet stringer

Yeah, as far as I can tell, that's the only place the stringer is exposed/damp. I guess I could drill some holes to see how far up stringer it's wet and then seal them up if it's dry. I assume where it is wet I should leave it exposed and not seal it. Do you agree? I sure appreciate the advice.
 

prockvoan

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 27, 2004
Messages
512
Re: wet stringer

I wouldn't open up a can of worms by drilling more holes.Chances are that water has transverse the hole stringer,its not that big of a deal as lond as you let it dry out after used,and yes cover the boat and if you can,let air in under the cover!<br />JTK,thanks.
 

salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: wet stringer

i can't think of the name but there is an injectable epoxy that supposedly kills rot or something. you might want to check into that and see if it doesn't seal things up a little better. i have a soft spot in my floor that wasn't easily identifiable so i have let it go until i have to open the whole thing up....i'm not looking forward to it and would have fixed the issue sooner if i could have.
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: wet stringer

Rot is caused by a fungus. Regular automotive anti freeze will kill the fungus. You can get a hyodermic needle used for horses (Large type) and inject it.
 
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