Stringer question

[squin]

So the integrity of the stringers is still there but i have found some areas where water has made its way in. Its a 67 model boat so its probably been wet then dry numerous times. As its a very heavy boat used in lake Pontchartrain which is large and shallow and can "kick up" very quickly i want to replace the stringers as part of my resto just for piece of mind. I was thinking of using a product called trex instead of wood. For those not farmiliar with trex its basically a recycled plastic made into 2x6's (original stringers are 2x6). Anyone have any experience with using this type of material for stringers? Ive worked with it in the past and its a strong never rotting product since its plastic. Suggestions or comments?

 

[Woodonglass]

It's been discussed and reviewed here on the forum several times and overall the members have pretty much concluded that it would NOT be a good structural component for Stringer use. Fiberglass resin will not adhere to it and in boat construction it's the glass working in conjunction with the core material of the stingers that gives the overal structural strength to the hull. If it was an optimum material the boat MFGs would be using it

 

[kjsAZ]

+1 to that and read the trex literature too. NOT for structural use. Any support on a deck covered with trex has to be made from wood/steel/concrete.
Stringers can be made from man-made materials but it requires a lot of structural calculations which go beyond what most can do at home. You can make them from high density PU foam and cover them with multiple layers of bi- or tri-axial glass but you won't know how strong it is. If you do a better job than the manufacturers in encapsulating dry wood it will last for another 30+ years. Besides the issue with water intrusion wood is one of the best composite materials.

 

[squin]

Ok thats what i needed to hear. I will definetly make sure they are completely sealed up tight. So would you use pressure treated wood or will that cause problems with the fiberglass too?

 

[jbcurt00]

nope no PT, wet & heavy.

 

[squin]

Awesome! Thanks for the info guys!