Replace stringers or not?

[gcornelisse]

I recently bought a 1984 Tide Craft 15' fiberglass bass boat w/ 35hp. Without getting too far into the topic of why I shouldn't have bought it in the first place, I'm trying to make lemonade with lemons. I knew the transom needed to be replaced, and I've got it removed. One thing lead to another and I found that the stringers are mush. So much so I can scoop them out with my index finger. I'm planning to replace the first 4' of the stringers from the transom forward. Should I keep going? Honestly, its an ok boat, but isn't my dream boat. I'll probably use the boat this summer on the lakes in my area of central PA and part it out next spring to recoup some money or put together an aluminum fishing boat. What are the safety/structural concerns with a boat this size by not replacing the stringers all the way to the front? Thanks, Gary

 

[zaroba]

Re: Replace stringers or not?

somebody else would know better then me, but my guess is that if the joints between the pieces were to fail, then the hull could crack or break at those points due to lack of support and pressure from the water when you have it out on the lake.

 

[skipjake04]

Re: Replace stringers or not?

Did you remove it from the outside or inside? It sounds like it was from the outside.
Many people remove from the inside thus saving the outer skin, and it makes it alot easier to get out if you cut your stringers back6-10 inches and then rebuild them. Make a mold out of foam, (two-part) and then glass over that. Wood will work also but then you run into the same problem later down the road with rot.
But if you don't remove all the rot OR moisture you are replacing the transom for nothing. You have to have those stringers to tie to your transom and also give support to your hull.
hope that helps. Search the sites for rebuild pics and that will help. I don't kow how to download any of mine, yet.