Fiberglass Stringer?

[nathan13]

I have a 16 foot,1958 Thunderbird Geronimo that I am trying to restore to a point. I'm planning on repainting the whole boat and do some interior work. At this time I am still sanding whole thing down, plus waiting for my friend to reopen their father's estate to get the title. So I'm just sanding it for the time being and planning how to go about other tasks on the boat. One task that I want to do is the floor; however I believe the stringers are hollow fiberglass,no wood. The floor is like a fiberglass sheet, also no wood. I did read somewhere that when this boat was made it made completely of fiberglass. My question is, how should I proceed with the floor? It has some cracks on the side meeting at the hull, but other than that the floor areas between the stringers just flexes in spots. I am not for sure if I want to try and pull up the old floor, because it has hollow fiberglass stringers. I was thinking about just cutting some plywood sheets and fiberglass them and screw them into the old floor. Plus, fiberglass it to edge of the hull where it meets the floor. Any suggestions on how to proceed and remember I am not a professional carpenter, this task is kind of a hobby with my first boat.

 

[Woodonglass]

If indeed the floor is solid fiberglass then you could stiffen it up with a layer or two of more glass. For sure you need to tab the sides back to to deck. Post up some pics so we can see the old Gal!!!

 

[nathan13]

No Title

 

[Woodonglass]

When you drilled the holes, how thick was the floor/deck?

 

[DeepBlue2010]

As WoodOnGlass indicated, if you are positive there is no wood core in the deck/stringers, you are actually in luck. You can start by tabbing back the existing glass glass deck to the hull and then prep a 1/2 inch or 5/8 marine plywood on top of it and glass this to the hull. If you prefer not to use any wood and keep up with the original design, you can use few layers of heavy fabric like 1708 and rebuild the strength of the deck. I see to holes on the first and 3rd pictures, did you drill these yourself. If so, was there any wood core? How thick was the deck?

 

[gm280]

Like previously stated, if you are 1000% sure there is ZERO wood in the floor and stringers, then I'd certain go for tabbing and at least two applications of poly and 1708 on top of a sanded and smooth floor. That will make it like new again...

 

[nathan13]

No wood that I could see in the stringers, was checking the outer parts of the stringers, wanted to make sure wasn't any de lamination that's why I used a hole bit. Later, not in these pictures I drilled a couple holes with a drill bit and it went right through where the stringers were, so my guess is hollow fiberglass stringers. The floor looks between 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick maybe closer to 1/2 inch. I actually went out and drilled into the transom tonight and unfortunately it is wood core, crumbles of wood came out on the bit. So, I believe the wood inside is rotten.

 

[Woodonglass]

Well you will need to remove a portion of the floor in order to replace the transom and you will also need to either remove the top cap of the boat or cut the cap in front of the splashwell to gain access to the transom. Do some searching on the forum for transom replacement and you'll find lots of examples of what you're in for.

 

[nathan13]

The transom feels real solid, but I guess that can be deceiving. I actually knocked on it with a hammer and it sounded good, no thuds like soft spots.

 

[Woodonglass]

LOL, if the wood crumbles when you drilled into it...Trust me it needs to be replaced. It's the most important structural element of the boat. If you don't feel like you're capable of doing a full blown restoration of this boat then you might need to consider your options.:noidea:

 

[nathan13]

Thank you, for all your help.I have all summer to restore it, I would really like to have it ready to paint beginning of next summer. So new transom it is!

 

[Woodonglass]

Like I said, Search the forum. Lots of help here.

 

[sphelps]

My MFG was the same design .. All fiberglass stringers and deck .. Seacast is an option but a pricey one .. That way you can cut the inside skin of the transom out without having to cut the floor up at the transom .. It would get cut a few inches above the floor so you could tab it back in after cleaning the insides of the skins ..
Installing a wood transom Like Woody suggested will be the least expensive . And last for a very long time if well cared for ..
Seacast may be more money than your willing to invest . Probably around 4 to 600 bucks depending on the size of your transom ..
Very cool boat! Glad your fixing her up !

 

[nathan13]

Thank you sphelps I will look into that.