stringer rot?

mphy98

Lieutenant
Joined
Oct 20, 2008
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1,422
i have been reading alot about stringer rot ect. I have a 79 thundercraft viking ss180 and have no idea if this boat has this or not. how common is this? is it from boats left in the water alot? this boat has only seen the water maybe 25 times in its life. the floor is real solid (i did replace the carpet because i installed pedetals seats) is this something i should be worried about? this boat is going to have an easy life as it is going to be brouught up to canada and left there to be used just twice a year for a week at a time. and maintence done every year with a winter and summer cover on it when not in use. thanks for the info. bob
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: stringer rot?

For boats of that vintage rot is pretty common.A lot depends on how it was stored over the years.
Bow up,drain plug out and a waterproof cover.

Easy to check for rot.Drill a few small holes about 1/4 inch deep into the stringers..if dark,moist wood comes out on the bit then you have a problem.
Light color dry shavings and its good.
fill the test holes with 3M 5200 when finished.
 

mphy98

Lieutenant
Joined
Oct 20, 2008
Messages
1,422
Re: stringer rot?

how do i know where the stringers are? i assume you do this fro inside the boat, not outside into the hull:eek:
 

180shabah

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
4,995
Re: stringer rot?

the stringers are the "frame" of your boat. depending on the floor layout you may not be able to get to much without some major effort. However you should still be able to get to some in the bilge area.

As Gary said - it doesn't matter how much time the boat spent in the water, but it does matter how much water has been in the boat.
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: stringer rot?

does the boat still have pedistal seats?.....they dont allow them here in canada.........BAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAA

:D

that was funny........ok...

the stringers are the frame that is inder the deck (floor) of your boat......in fact....your floor is sitting on the stringers.

the only way to inspect the stringers is to take a core sample. the only way to do that is if you have a ski locker the sides of the ski locker are uasually the stringers.....

you can also take a drill and a jig saw and make a hole in the deck big enough to stick your head in there and get a few samples....

you will need to close up the hole after......the best way is to screw peices of backing wood under the deck and put your cut out on those....that way you can use that "hatch" cover to let good air flow under the deck when you have it under the tarp.

as you may have read.....rot is caused by water under the deck....or in the foam boats have as flotation.....the best way you can keep a boat from rotting out.....is when you store it....store it with the bow....way way up high. i would build a structure out of pvc pipe that would sit in the boat and keep the tarp at a good drainage angle.........td has pics some where of his system.

(i think i posted all this on your other thread)

btw........if you want to make a hole in the deck for inspection purposes, there is a little more to it than that......you have to seal the edges of the wood after you cut the hole.....if you want to do this.....the restoration section can walk you right thru this step by step

cheers
oops
 

180shabah

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
4,995
Re: stringer rot?

I just noticed your siggie oops!

I am sure it will be of little consolation to his family, but Lester was always a valued member of these forums and he will be missed.
 
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