1977 Trojan Tri-Cabin loose port side strut

[Atap]

During our preparation for spring launch we discovered our port side shaft strut is loose. It bolts up underneath the port side fuel tank. Looks like the only way to reach the one set of nuts and bolts is to cut a piece out of one of the stringers so we can reach under the tank, or remove the tank. Would anyone have any suggestions as to the easiest way to replaced the wood and tightened up the strut preferably without removing the fuel tank since it is full of fuel?

Any help is greatly appreciated! Sharon

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1977 Trojan Tri-Cabin loose port side strut

the strut will need to be removed and re-bedded with a sealant like 5200.
sometimes there isnt an easy way around it.

 

[Atap]

Re: 1977 Trojan Tri-Cabin loose port side strut

Correct but first we need to figure out how to get to the one set of bolts and nuts first to get it loose. Still not sure about cutting the stringer.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 1977 Trojan Tri-Cabin loose port side strut

I assume the strut is bolted through a stringer? I'd be concerned about slicing the stringer itself as it's an important structural member.

Can you cut a hole next to the stringer, then reach up and over it to reach the strut bolts? Patching a hole in the hull shouldn't be a huge job. Relatively speaking, that is.

Just a thought.

 

[Atap]

Re: 1977 Trojan Tri-Cabin loose port side strut

It's not bolted to a stringer it's on the other side of the stringer and we can't get to it because the fuel tank is on top of it and the half hole that's already there isn't big enough for us to get our hand through. The stringer was cutout half way by the manufacturer because the other mount ended up right under the same stringer. What we're looking at doing is cutting the rest of the stringer that has already been notched out. I don't think there's much support there since half of it is gone already (bottom half that would lay on the bilge floor). There's no place to cut another hole, the gas tank is on top and the stringer runs the whole length. Hope that makes sense. Really don't want to cut a hole in the bottom of the boat. Would be better to remove the fuel tank then. Got any other ideas for us? We do appreciate the input!

 

[JustJason]

Re: 1977 Trojan Tri-Cabin loose port side strut

You can spend 1/2 a day notching out a stringer, which is a bad idea from the get to, only to come to the conclusion that you have to drain and remove your tanks.

Like rodbolt says... there's no easy way with these things. Especially if your flying solo here. When your a shop, and have a gantry and other lifting equipment the job becomes much more managable.