1992 Sea Ray 200 Overnighter Engine mount stringer

[onesweetworld]

Hello,

I need to replace the front engine mount stringer in a 1992 Sea Ray 200 Overnighter with a 3.0L merc. The wood is complete mush and almost unrecognizable upon removal. Before I just guess at the size for the wood stringer, is there anyone that may be able to lead me in a direction for the proper dimensions or maybe even a template to use?? Also I do know the cause of the wood rot and it should not be a problem in the future.

Thank You

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

your boat is almost 26 years old. not bad for a boat with a design life of 20 years

what causes wood to rot is poor encapsulation, screw holes not sealed and water in the bilge. water gets into the foam, breaks down the foam and the wood rots. if the front mount is rotten, good chance that the stringers, other bulkheads and the transom are rotten as well.

so, before you get wrapped up in the one rotten part, check out the rest of the boat

take a chordless drill. chuck up a 1/4" drill bit, put a layer of tape about 3/4" from the end. make a bunch of test drills. drill into the stringers and transom about 2" above the hull (inside the boat, not outside). if the wood shavings come out light colored, dry and smelling like fresh cut wood, then plug the holes with marine tex and just replace the one section

however if the wood shavings come out dark, wet, and smelling like rotten leaves, then keep removing bits of boat and prepare for a full restoration.

your not alone. most boats over 15 years old have major issues.

Post pics, we like pics.

 

[tpenfield]

The odds that someone would have the dimensions or a template are low . . . If you contact Sea Ray, they may be able to share some shop drawings.

Check other areas of the boat to see what else is rotted.

Post some pictures, as that will help with responses.

I think you can use the outer shell of the stringer (i.e. fiberglass) to get a good idea of the dimensions, etc.

 

[onesweetworld]

Thank you for your reply(s). The cause of the rot was that the bilge drain accidentally got plugged causing water to build up during storage. I have already done testing on the other areas of the boat just like you had recommended and have not noted further compromised areas. It appears to be located to this one section. Furthermore can you recommend what type of glass(strand? woven?) and type of resin to use?

I hope the pictures help.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you will need 1.5 oz CSM as well as 1708 biax and about 2 gallons of un-waxed resin as well as about a quart of gel. I would use poly. you will need to grind the old 'glass back a bit.

do a bit of reading of threads in the hull resto forums.