New transom, found bad stringers.

[Datimm]

I have a 1986 rinker 180v and I am in the process of replacing the transom. The floor is recently "replaced" by previous owner. Looks like he just screwed some new treated wood into the old. The boat was left outside uncovered for a year and a half in ohio. I am certain the stringers are shot and have no problem replacing them. I am looking for opinions on finishing the transom and and using the boat for the year and then replacing the stringers after the season ends. The boat will be used in inland lakes for fishing and just relaxing on the water. I have no interest in going fast and no interest in being out in big waves. What do you think? Should I hold off or is it just to risky?

 

[Chris51280]

is it an outboard? If so, you might be ok for using it just for fishing with a new transom. at least the outboard wont fall off.

 

[Datimm]

It's an i/o.

 

[Datimm]

The engine is the 3.7 170, so its an i4. The rear motor mounts are part of the gimbal housing mounting plate and the front bolts to a mount that runs side to side between the stringers. That is also being replaced. So engine mounting shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Chris51280]

If you only do a partial fix and you have the engine out already, do the engine mounts and rear stringers with the transom.

 

[Datimm]

Copy that, thanks for the advice.

 

[kcassells]

Lets get some pics.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Doesn't seem very safe to me; if you're already got the engine out to replace the transom, why not just go ahead and do the stringers, too? Aside from the danger of operating a boat with known structural problems, it seems like you'd be making a lot more work for yourself in the long run.

 

[Datimm]

Mostly time, if I can get out and enjoy the boat for the short time we have in N.W. Ohio I would like to. I'll get some pictures as soon as I can.

 

[Chris51280]

I life in NW Ohio Too.:wave:

 

[JASinIL2006]

I understand wanting to get out, especially where the boating season is short (I'm in Illinois, not far from either the flooded Mississippi or Illinois rivers, where our boating season will be particularly short). But stringers aren't an optional part of the boat... they're kind of important.

 

[Woodonglass]

No Stringers... No Float da' Boat!!

 

[Datimm]

Wow, so idk if I'm lucky or what to think. I just got in from tearing some more of the boat apart to find that the boat was built with just fiberglass and foam stringers, no wood. I found that rinker 170 and 180 are built this way. So I guess I am in luck? Not sure what to think since I already didnt know what I was doing before this curve ball. I did drill into the fiberglass to see and sure enough no wood and dry foam. Now what? I was certain if there was wood it was rotted bc all the decking was.

 

[Redtruck12]

I would think that you are good!
...... as long as you’re not seeing any signs of delamination on the wrap over the foam stringersI would think seal your holes and any other questionable looking areas and move on!
share a couple of pictures

 

[Datimm]

 

[Datimm]

 

[Datimm]

These are the holes I drilled to find only foam in good condition

 

[Datimm]

This is where the motor mounts were mounted with lag bolts, I am cutting this out and glassing in a whole new piece.

 

[Datimm]

 

[Datimm]