1986 (87?) Cimarron 500 IDX Floor and Hull Repair

[hurler_jones]

First - Greetings everyone! This is my first post but I have been lurking for a few days now and found some really good info. I have the fiberglass sticky bookmarked already and have downloaded the West Systems guide and some others. I am still reading but learning a great deal already.Once I get a couple more posts I will be able to add some photos apparently so until then, this will have to start with just text.

Picked this boat up from family after it was sitting for years un-cared for. The motor runs fine, the boat will get up on plane and run about 40mph. We new the floor was rotted out and had a piece of plywood over the top (standard plywood and starting to get waterlogged itself) I decided to get the big picture and make sure the boat is safe and sound.

I am pretty sure I have a good direction for the new floor - marine ply (possibly an AC grade non-marine) that will be cut to size, glassed, 5200 to the stringers and tabbed in. I am still working up the nerve to tackle this but as I said, I am digesting as much info as I can and getting there.

My real concern is the hull of the boat. Along the side of the keel stringer (both sides) I can see where the resin is all but gone and the fiberglass is soft, mushy and wet. I am currently running a fan to help dry it out. So far, the stringers I can access sound and feel very solid. The fore of the boat looks pretty dry but I know the drain plug was partially blocked for a while and she held water in the aft for a bit. Hoping all is well back there and I don't have to remove the cap. I am thinking I can just grind down the soft spots and then lay in new glass.

Question: Is it common for a piece of wood to run parallel with the keel stringer or possibly the stringer sit on a piece of wood? In that mushy part it almost feels like wet wood but can't be sure just yet. I'm not sure if soaked/rotting fiberglass would feel the same.

Once you see the pictures (and a quick video) you will likely be able to give me some better advice.

Thanks in advance and looking forward to some hard, rewarding work!

 

[hurler_jones]

Here is the quick video. https://youtu.be/F6FS6FejnBA

 

[hurler_jones]

Maybe this will work for now for the pictures ... http://imgur.com/a/hQBGK

 

[hurler_jones]

No Title

As the boat is drying out, I went and started poking things with my screwdriver. What I found is that from about mid-boat for a couple of feet toward the transom, the keel stringer is indeed rotted out. I haven't made it too far towards the transom yet but from what I could reach it seemed pretty solid.

Question: Can I replace part of the keel stringer and reinforce the joint with more wood like a plate on either side? After cutting out rotted section, seal with resin and glass then insert new sealed piece, glass that together and then add 2 ft sealed 'plates' on either side and glass that to the stringer as well. (yes, I am trying to avoid having to pop the cap)

Also, there is a piece of wood that run next to the keel stringer on either side. It is rotted out but I don't know what it was for. I don't believe it sits completely under because it sits in the V. Is this wood needed or was it to help hold the stringer in place during initial build/layup?

 

[Woodonglass]

Welcome to iBoats! What have you done to ensure the transom is sound? Poking on the stringer with a screwdriver is NOT a good way to ensure it's good to go. You need to take core samples. The same goes for the transom. From what I can see in the pics you've posted it's most likely this boat is gunna need a total gut and restore. I've been wrong before.

 

[hurler_jones]

Thanks for the welcome and the reply. I really didn't want to pop the top off but looks like I may have too. Depending on my schedule tomorrow, I may cut out the deck which will give me a much better view of more of the hull. The only thing that looks 'wet' was along the keel stringer. I can't really see the transom but I can pull the batteries and see at least half of whats going on.

A couple more questions:

1) To get core samples, am I correct to assume a small hole saw will work fine? If so, what size is recommended?

2) If as I suspect the entire stringer is not rotted, can I replace the rotted section and reinforce the joint where new and old meet or is it recommended to just replace the whole thing?

3) If I core a good sample, can it be filled and re-glassed? (I assume it can)

4) Any idea what the wood running along the side of the keel stringer is for? Is it structural or an aid in building? In other words, is this something I should replace after removing?

Thanks again and looking forward to a hell of a lot of work for my first boat!

 

[Woodonglass]

Thanks for the welcome and the reply. I really didn't want to pop the top off but looks like I may have too. Depending on my schedule tomorrow, I may cut out the deck which will give me a much better view of more of the hull. The only thing that looks 'wet' was along the keel stringer. I can't really see the transom but I can pull the batteries and see at least half of whats going on.

A couple more questions:

1) To get core samples, am I correct to assume a small hole saw will work fine? If so, what size is recommended? 3/8" bit drill 1" deep use tape on the bit to mark the depth.

2) If as I suspect the entire stringer is not rotted, can I replace the rotted section and reinforce the joint where new and old meet or is it recommended to just replace the whole thing? Yes, you can "Sister" in a new piece of stringer. I'll show you how if and when the time comes.

3) If I core a good sample, can it be filled and re-glassed? (I assume it can) Yes

4) Any idea what the wood running along the side of the keel stringer is for? Is it structural or an aid in building? In other words, is this something I should replace after removing? I'm still not sure from your pics what exactly you are referencing. Would like some pics that are not So CLOSE UP

Thanks again and looking forward to a hell of a lot of work for my first boat!

See responses above in Red

 

[52FordF2]

Where the ski locker is, could there have been a board on top of the center stringer that rotted away?