Stringer Filled with Foam? Where's the Wood?

[olmpilot]

Well, still working at it.. and I decided to try the "ice pick" method to check my stringers.. but used a coat hanger instead. There are several "probe" holes in the starboard stringer. However, when I put the coat hangar down there, all I can hear and feel is foam....??? Is it common for boats to have stringers filled with foam? I expected to feel some resistance from wood, but wonder if it's a wood frame covered with glass and filled with foam? See the link below and picture reference 4 for where the probe holes are. See the other pics for reference to the size and location of the stringer.<br /><br />Thanks Folks!<br /><br /> http://www.rawdesigns.com/Personal/boat/Decking Removal/project.htm

 

[Mark42]

Re: Stringer Filled with Foam? Where's the Wood?

I checked out your pictures for a while and think that you should take a 2 or 3" hole saw and cut a nice clean circle out of the top of the stringer. Then you can see what's really going on inside. If everything is OK the core cut from the hole saw can be epoxied back in place. Maybe add a layer or two of fiberglass on top. <br /><br />Is the coat hanger wet when it comes out? <br /><br />Judging from those photos, that looks to be the widest stringer I have ever seen. I would not be surprised if it is foam, or plywood with foam core. Can you contact other Seaswirl owners? They may know the boats construction and save you a lot of greif.<br /><br />At any rate, you are wise to be checking it all out.<br /><br />Mark.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Stringer Filled with Foam? Where's the Wood?

Foam for stringers is a ok.Its not the best but it works.You can build a stringer out of paper,the paper is not what does the job,its the fiberglass cloth and resin.<br />As for as the hanger,was it wet?There is a nother thing you can get.Don't know the name of it,but service (gas) stations use it to apply it on the dip sticks to check the tank levels.Anybody know the name of the stuff?<br />Now,if you do have water in there,you can cut the top off the stringer,dig out the foam,apply new foam and glass it back in.First,find out were the water is getting in!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Stringer Filled with Foam? Where's the Wood?

Here is some info from the Seaswirl 1989 catalogue that yoiu might find helpful. Hopefully the pics will work.<br /><br />

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[olmpilot]

Re: Stringer Filled with Foam? Where's the Wood?

Thanks for the info!! It looks like it may be a foam filled core. Also, I haven't found any traces of water in the areas that I have checked so far, so it looks like things under there are in good shape. I still might use the hole saw idea to confirm, but I'm fairly confident that things are solid and dry inside the core, and I can focus on the floor replacement. YEAH!!!!!!!

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Stringer Filled with Foam? Where's the Wood?

You have a go!Now what are your plans for that?Are there any plans to change out the floor plan?New live wells?Wiring?Seating?Steering and shift cables?<br />Think it out before you start,there is more to just laying out the floor.Go look at new boats,see whats new.You might like to install some of the ideas into your NEW boat.Think back at boats that you had in the pass and wish builders would of did to those boats.The world is yours when you are building a boat.But first,don't rush it!

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Stringer Filled with Foam? Where's the Wood?

Water Finding Paste...applied to the bottom of a REALLY long ruler...used to see how much gas as well as water in gas station tanks. Paste turns red to indicate water. Don't know the "brand" name for the stuff..<br /><br />JustMrWill

 

[olmpilot]

Re: Stringer Filled with Foam? Where's the Wood?

Prockvoan, I'm not sure what I will change, if anything other than the method of bolting the seats in, which is what I think ruined the floor. Also, I'm not going to take the forward part of the cabin out at this point. I just want a solid cockpit flooring (I should have more pictures later today). I have looked at it and wondered what I could change, but at the same time need to constrain costs and really want to get it in the water this summer, since I have only gotten about 1 month of use out of it since I bought it last July. If this is successful, I may redo the cuddy cabin next year if it seems necessary. If there were any modifications, I think that is where they would be.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Stringer Filled with Foam? Where's the Wood?

olmpilot,<br /><br />Nice design that boat has. Seal up those holes! You are so lucky to have a boat that had such an innovative design, and that it was so well done it's still here and solid.<br /><br />You are going to have that one a long time. And it's that kind of solid construction that makes you feel better about spending some bucks on it.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Stringer Filled with Foam? Where's the Wood?

Originally posted by Mark42:<br /> olmpilot,<br /><br />Nice design that boat has. Seal up those holes! You are so lucky to have a boat that had such an innovative design, and that it was so well done it's still here and solid.<br /><br />You are going to have that one a long time. And it's that kind of solid construction that makes you feel better about spending some bucks on it.

Mark, I have an '89 4.3L 17' Seaswirl (only reason I have the brochure with the pics). I've long felt that it rides much smoother and more solid than anything else I've ridden in near that class. Nice to find out that it's not just my unconcious bias. Another nice feature is that the boat has a wider beam than many in it's class, feels noticably bigger than similar length boats.