Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

W

woody1

Cadet
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
9
Hey all

I have had a soft spot starting to develop in the deck of my 14ft fibreglass runabout. I have spent a few months researching how to do a full restoration, stringers and deck working on the theory that it will all need to be done some time anyway.

Today I opened up the soft spot and found no stringers!!! The bulkheads are a bit soft but still seem to be holding the deck up fine and the soft spot hasnt spread nearly as far as I thought

Can I get off easy and just replace or cover up the existing soft spot? or should I look at putting some stringers in there?

I assume someone before me has replaced the deck as the same paint on the floor is also splattered over the steering componants, which I dont think would have happened in manufacture.

Here are a couple of pics to show you what im talking about

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz228/simo2601/IMG_6906.jpg

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz228/simo2601/IMG_6908.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
solar7647

solar7647

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
1,218
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

DO the hole job, will be easyer to do it all at once, if you dont you will find your self redoing your work.
 
W

woody1

Cadet
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
9
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

What I should have said is... Does a boat need stringers? I have been running it for a few years with no dramas but, are boats manufactured with no stringers? or was there just a lazy past owner
 
N

NetMatrix

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
247
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

Yes boats do come from the manufacturer with stringers in them. It is what gives it strength. The only boats that I know of that don't have stringers in them are jon boats. Also the pictures need to be resized to 620x280 so they will fit correctly.
 
J

Jacket4life

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
382
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

I may be wrong, but that looks like stringers at the top of pic # 1, and on the left side of pic #2. Maybe you don't completely understand what you are seeing? The stringers in a fiberglass boat are generally 2x4's or similar covered in fiberglass. Pic # 1 shows part of the deck removed, and that looks an awful lot like a stringer at the top of the pic.
 
W

woody1

Cadet
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
9
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

The first pic was taken as if you are in the boat, so up the top of the photo is towards the bow, bottom towards the stern. I was under the impression there would be stringers running front to back, and what you see there are bulkheads running port to starboard. Correct me if im wrong
 
P

Propnut60

Recruit
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
3
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

Hi Woody,
I am starting on a 50's glassie with no stringers. When I asked the same question, replies said, "if it ain't broke don't fix it". My boat (16' Fort Dodge Boat Works, 35 hp Evinrude) pulled skiers on an inland river for umpteen miles and I can't see any damage except the gel coat.
Good Luck!
 
Mark42

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

Not all boats have stringers. Common for 60's and 70's smaller 14-16' boats to not have them, or just one down the center.

If it looks like it did not have stringers from the factory, (should be signs of them even if previous owner removed them) then there is no need to add them.
 
W

woody1

Cadet
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
9
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

Mark42 said:
Not all boats have stringers. Common for 60's and 70's smaller 14-16' boats to not have them, or just one down the center.

If it looks like it did not have stringers from the factory, (should be signs of them even if previous owner removed them) then there is no need to add them.
Click to expand...

Thanks mark. I dont know the make of the boat, but have always suspected its 70's. Looks like this project is going to be a whole lot easer than i thought!
 
CN Spots

CN Spots

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
1,612
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

Now you've gone and jinxed yourself! Looking at the photos I'd say that the bulkheads are probably mulch (if they're wood). Lots of moisture in there. Whether it's bulkheads or stringers, they're reinforcing the hull and if they're rotten they need to be replaced. You'll know more once you get the deck off and can inspect them better.
 
Mark42

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

Post some pics after you get all the ply out. Boats typically use 1/2" or 5/8" ply for the deck. 5/8" cdx is a little harder to find than 1/2", a real lumber yard could order a sheet or two for you. If you go with 1/2', think of putting some 1/2" bulk heads across the boat about every 16 -20 inches to cut down on flex. If you do that, be sure to leave a half circle cutout at the bottom (about 4" or so diameter) center to let any water drain to the back of the boat. Wouldn't hurt to make those out of pressure treated ply. If I were doing that boat, I would use all pressure treated ply. Let it dry for a week or two indoors, and cover with a layer of poly and CSM, Then oil base paint and call it done. Be aware that pressure treated lumber is a hot topic, you will get both pro and cons, and they usually are at the extreme.

Good luck!
 
W

woody1

Cadet
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
9
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

Thanks guys. I am happy to do the job properly. I am still learning as much as i can before I get started. Can anyone point me in the direction of some info about poly and csm? there sooo much information on this site to read through!

Cheers

SImon
 
oops!

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Um, So.... what happened to my stringers?

hi bud....welcome to iboats.

another thread has some of the best glassing instructions and discussion from the top pros in fiberglass/gellcoat

its a long thread but if you read it all.....you will be up to speed on glassing including peaunt butter mixture ratios and cat rates for different temps.

search hull extension in progress.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top