little rot on stringers

[88wellcraft]

Hey All,

I have a 1988 wellcraft 180 classic that I am working on. I've pulled all the seats, carpet etc and I've found that the stringers appear to be rotted about 1" down from the top where the builders decided that they did not need to glass them. I'm pulling the floor this weekend but I did cut a section out already and also found that the top of the foam was wet. I stuck my finger down a ways and it was dry right below the surface. I am not going to replace the stringers but am looking for the best way to slow the process of rotting so I can get a couple of more years out of her. I would also like any suggestions on the best tool to use to cut out the floor (trim saw?) and if you guys think I should replace the foam.

Thanks a Bunch

Guy

 

[Robj]

Re: little rot on stringers

"I am not going to replace the stringers but am looking for the best way to slow the process of rotting so I can get a couple of more years out of her".

The only way to do it is to do it right by replacing the stringers, if only part of them are rotten, you can always scarf in a new piece for the rotten sections. Why waste the time and $$ to do half a job. If you are at it, may as well do it right the first time. This was you also know the boat is safe.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: little rot on stringers

Well, I would like to do right but for right now finances won't allow that. I would mean pulling the whole top half of the boat off of the hull and I also don't have the space for that right at the moment. It seems that everything else is good to go i.e. engine mounts/supports, transom etc.

Thanks

 

[Mark42]

Re: little rot on stringers

A small circular saw is the most popular tool for cutting up the floor. Set the blade depth to 1/16 more than the thickness of the floor and it should do a nice clean job of it. Plus it is safer than a reciprocating saw because its harder to cut through the hull with a blade that does not cut deeper than the floor plywood.

 

[Robj]

Re: little rot on stringers

If the stringers are rotten, then they should be replaced. I am not sure what it involved on your boat, but on mine it did not involve removing the top half. What are you going to secure the floor to, a rotten stringer? Maybe products like git rot may help a bit, or a penetrating epoxy, but the real fix is to replace.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[Solittle]

Re: little rot on stringers

Take a look-see here:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=184992&highlight=antifreeze

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: little rot on stringers

Thanks for the good info guys, I'm going to start cutting the floor this afternoon and then go from there after I can see the whole thing....I'll let ya know.

 

[loquito]

Re: little rot on stringers

A small circular saw is the most popular tool for cutting up the floor. Set the blade depth to 1/16 more than the thickness of the floor and it should do a nice clean job of it. Plus it is safer than a reciprocating saw because its harder to cut through the hull with a blade that does not cut deeper than the floor plywood.

Good advice that I hadn't thought of.

 

[Bonus]

Re: little rot on stringers

I am not going to replace the stringers but am looking for the best way to slow the process of rotting so I can get a couple of more years out of her. Guy

If it is not to bad you can dry it out completely and stabilize with marine epoxy; either penetrating and then regular, or the "old fasion way" with simply the standard marine epoxy.

Although some don't like it, it works well. The original company is West System Epoxy (Gougen Brothers); but their are less expensive options now. I use it on any and every questionable parts (boats and otherwise). West has extensive "how too" pamphlets and instruction as well.

Bob in CO

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: little rot on stringers

Well, some things came up and I didn't get to it today, but for sure tomorrow. I went and got a cordless trim saw that I think will work fine for cutting out.....(always looking for an excuse to buy new tools)