Sabin1269
Cadet
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2019
- Messages
- 27
I just purchased a 1986 Starcraft Medalist 1901 with a Mercury 115 ob on it. Boat runs pretty well and I took it out a few times with the family and didn't really notice anything wrong with it besides a little water here and there (typical boat stuff). One of the PO replaced the deck and carpet which didn't throw up any red flags to me at first but I wanted to get at the fuel tank and fix the sending unit so the fuel gauge would work.
Well, I had to pull up the desk since there was no access holes or hatches to it and then saw the ugly truth, the kind that makes your stomach sink...... ALL the wood thats under there is rotted including the stuff inside the stringers. While the fiberglass still feels and looks solid there is just way to much rot under there to ignore.
So my first question it what is the best wood to use to replace the cores? Can I use exterior grade plywood which I was going to either coat or paint with something and then replace/reglass over it or is there a better option? I've seen a few other forums that say the wood is only there for a core to mold the fiberglass around so, would it be easier and as effective to use foam for a core to prevent further rot or should I stick with wood? I know I'll need it around my tank for support. I was looking at using Greenwood XL 1/2" and glueing it together but I didn't know if there is a better alternative. I'll glue it to the hull with some homemade peanut butter ( I usually put 1/4' foam spacers between the stringer and hull to prevent too much direct contact). I've never had to do such an in depth stringer replacement though so any advice would be great!
I'll post pictures when I get home!
Well, I had to pull up the desk since there was no access holes or hatches to it and then saw the ugly truth, the kind that makes your stomach sink...... ALL the wood thats under there is rotted including the stuff inside the stringers. While the fiberglass still feels and looks solid there is just way to much rot under there to ignore.
So my first question it what is the best wood to use to replace the cores? Can I use exterior grade plywood which I was going to either coat or paint with something and then replace/reglass over it or is there a better option? I've seen a few other forums that say the wood is only there for a core to mold the fiberglass around so, would it be easier and as effective to use foam for a core to prevent further rot or should I stick with wood? I know I'll need it around my tank for support. I was looking at using Greenwood XL 1/2" and glueing it together but I didn't know if there is a better alternative. I'll glue it to the hull with some homemade peanut butter ( I usually put 1/4' foam spacers between the stringer and hull to prevent too much direct contact). I've never had to do such an in depth stringer replacement though so any advice would be great!
I'll post pictures when I get home!