stringers and keel

[micknjo]

I have a picton 170gts that needs new stringers and keel they are 1 1/4 inches wide. My friend says they are not structural because they are to thin so don't need to be fibreglassed in so heavily. I think they are structural can someone please help so I can get on with the job.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

Welcome to iBoats!

Pics always help us to help you. A free photobucket account and copying the IMG code will allow you to post your pics.

Anytime a mfg puts stringers in a boat, they are structural. Some mfg only use 1/2" material. You should, IMHO, use a minimum of 1 Layer of CSM and 2 Layers of either Woven Roving or a 17 or 18 oz Biaxial Fiberglass Cloth to acheive the structural strength you'll need. The first link in my signature below has some good info for you.

 

[micknjo]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

Thanks your answer confirms what I thought

 

[micknjo]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

I'd like to see you pull them out with your hands I've hit them with a club hammer and no chance need to be cut out your welcome to try though with just your hands also don't know what wood is in there you may of owned the boat but you never took it apart never seen whats inside the fibreglass could be ply could be soft or hardwood. Also the knees as you call them are not even an inch wide narrower than the rest I'll add pics once I cut it open then let the experts decide

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

As previously stated, Pics will help us to help you AND most stringers in boats of this size are in the 1-2 " thickness range. Some mfgs do a poor job of attaching the stringers to the hull so it is not surprising that they may only have some blown in CSM or thin layers of CSM attaching them to the hull. Is there any Flotation foam in the hull?

 

[micknjo]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

None under the floor & there was some up the front to hold the original fuel tank but that was removed before I got the boat. I will admit most of the damage to the boat was my own fault due to ignorance it sat in my garden for 2 to 3 years uncovered and left to the elements now I want it sorted and back on the water where it belongs

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

Some boats are Foam Filled to provide Structural Support for the Hull. If there is No Foam then for sure the Stringers are there for the Structural Integrity of the Hull. With the Deck Attached to the sides of the hull and the stringers it forms a grid system that gives the boat this strength. The first link in my signature below has some good info on how they should be installed to provide this.

 

[Decker83]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

Some boats are Foam Filled to provide Structural Support for the Hull. If there is No Foam then for sure the Stringers are there for the Structural Integrity of the Hull. With the Deck Attached to the sides of the hull and the stringers it forms a grid system that gives the boat this strength. The first link in my signature below has some good info on how they should be installed to provide this.

Welcome to i-boats micknjo..

Wood is spot on in what he is saying.. You need to replace the stringers back like the mgr did and follow WOOD's link with the glass layup..

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

It's almost an absolute certainty, that boat has stringers and...They play a structural part in the overall integrity of the strength of the hull. that hull Without being totally foam filled would most certainly require stringers to ensure this. We are still awaiting pics of what lies below the deck. Those pics will tell the tale.

 

[micknjo]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

 

[micknjo]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

pictures as promised

 

[Decker83]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

View attachment 189326

The 3 boards running from stern to bow are most definitely STRINGERS and they are structural.. the board going port to starboard is called a bulkhead in most cases...

It looks like there is some rot started at the bulkhead and the stringers... You need to drill a few holes along the stringers from bow to stern to look for more signs of rot.. If the shavings from the drill is light colored and dry its good.. If wet or black and turned to mush they will need to be replaced.. Check the transom also with the dril test.. Do not drill from the outside of the hull and do not drill thru the transom from the inside.. Wrap some tape around the drill bit about 1" from the end of the drill bit..

 

[Grub54891]

Re: stingers and keel

Re: stingers and keel

They are structure,mine are rotted 1x's A board laid
on edge does have strength.

 

[micknjo]

Re: stringers and keel

Thanks took the what was left of the keel out today it went straight into bags if it wasn't so wet I could have hovered it out. Will not be getting to much done at the moment as spending all my money on my daughter's bloody wedding I did tell the wife my boat's more important I can't post her reply so sorry boats got to wait will get little jobs done though

 

[Decker83]

Re: stringers and keel

Wife = Admiral = Someone you must obey..
Sound like your headed in the right direction..
Have a good week..

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: stringers and keel

Is there any way you can determine the approx. thickness of the hull?