What to do with these Stringers???

nrraiders35

Cadet
Joined
Mar 7, 2020
Messages
11
Hi everyone,

I’m brand new to boating. Due to my lack of experience I bought a 17t Red Fin center console with a soft deck. Fortunately I’m pretty decent when it comes to handiwork. After removing the deck this is what I found (pics below). The wood isn’t perfect by any means but seems to be okay? I believe the real problem is the top of the fiberglass is delaminating. I'm not looking for a perfect boat just something I can use for fishing a dozen times a year. Would this be repairable without replacing the entire stringer or am I better off cutting my losses? Any opinions or advice would be appreciated!
 

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Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
51,009
the problem is your boat is rotting from the bottom up

by the time the deck is soft, the stringers and transom long ago rotted. I wouldnt use your boat as is. and its up to you if you want to cut your losses or restore the hull.

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...r/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

read links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b. then deside

I would gut the hull, rebuild and be back on the water in a few months...... unless you do something stupid like I did and do a full gel coat re-shoot, complete change of the boat, etc.
 

mickyryan

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2016
Messages
4,216
Im in the catagory of decap hull from top cut it all out and restore properly or you will always have it gnawing at you, that black is mold that leads to rot if im not mistaken it only grows in moisture so stringers are wet
 

kcassells

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 16, 2012
Messages
8,739
Yup you are right Mick that is mold/rot. Decap/total rehabber. We do it here everyday.
Its not about $$ return its about better and safer when you are done with the boat.
 
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