new to boating repair and need help

I bought an older boat, that had a 15 gallon tank under the floor and 25 gallon above floor under center console. I wanted to put a bigger tank under floor and get rid of the other 2 fuel tanks. Upon cutting into the floor, noticed some rot. No big deal, can fix this. But whoever installed the fuel tank cut out 36 inches (3 foot) of the middle stringer.(think that is what its called) They added some wood on each side to make up for this cut out. So my question is, what will this do structurally to the boat, and if I need to cut out more and follow the same process they did will it be safe and sound. Also what kind of wood is best to use i this area? And also what wood is best for the floor replacement? Thanks for any help....

Re: new to boating repair and need help

what kind of boat is it? and do you have some pics of the area your talking about. I would be concerned with the cutting of the middle stringer. Hard to say without seeing it though. Also might want to check with the original specs and see what size and type of fuel tank it had. A bigger tank means weight and that would mess with how it rides and planes out

Re: new to boating repair and need help

I am being told it is a 1976 Salty.... Havent found any info on a boat by that name. I will have to get some pics of the area, and get them posted. The main thing I want is to have my area under the center console for batteries and better access to electrical stuff. The PO had a 25 gallon tank under there which ate up the whole center console.