[mark mcj]

Hello,
I've been doing quite abit of reading and have a good idea of where I'm heading with my project but have a couple of quick questions.

Specs; 1980 Renken V900 18.5 foot

1. How do I find out what the hull is made of?
After reading OOPs hull extension thread it seems most boats are made of a poly resin construction. From what I've read, poly and epoxy do not mix well so I want to make sure I get the right stuff.

2. I'm replacing the floor and stringers in my hull but I don't think they are structural (the stringers) really just floor supports, anyways I've read these shouldn't make full contact with the hull as they will make hard points to the hull. But it seems most of the rebuilds here and on other sites make it clear the entire stringer is set in thickened epoxy (PB) to the hull. What's the correct method?


Thanks

[Bob_VT]

a 1980 Renken is probably all poly fiberglass...... they were not high end and that was a long time ago.

Set the stringer in PL adhesive which is cheaper and easier to use then PB

[mark mcj]

Thanks Bob VT.

So I will have to get poly resin for the rework and the entire stringer gets PL'd to the hull......

That's kind of nice since the poly is cheaper and now I have a reason for going the cheap route.

[ondarvr]

As B VT said, its polyester, there are very few (almost none) production boast built with epoxy even today. Only a few very high end custom go fast boats and small craft like canoes and kayaks are made with it.

[redfury]

one word of wisdom, make sure you over grind the area you plan to glass, because the glass seems to go on farther than you expected it would, and make sure you get into virgin glass. You will end up with glass failure otherwise, and who wants that after the deck is sealed up tight?

I, fortunately, discovered failing glass in my boat before I got to far and have since changed my ways.