87 Winner Bass Boat Stringer Repair

[86Lancer]

I bought an 87 winner last July and feel like I got a pretty good deal. 150 evinrude runs great. When I was cleaning it up this year, I found some cracks in two of the passenger side stringers. My heart sank, I've had my wife and grandson with me a few times with that 150 stretched out and shudder to think what could have happened. I started researching and found that this boat has no wood in the stringers, but instead used a fiberglass grid that was glassed into the bottom of the boat. My plan is to use the West 105 epoxy, and some biax tape to repair the cracks. I used some of the west six10 to seal the hairline cracks on the bottom of the hull that formed from flexing. I wanted to get some opinions from here on if there is anything else I should do or check while working. Transom is solid as a rock. My goal is to repair the boat well, I really need to get two years out of it to hold me over for a newer boat. She isn't a looker but fishes well.

 

[86Lancer]

Does this sound like I'm on the right track with the tape and 105? This is my first time attempting something like this. I've looked through a lot of the older posts on this sight for guidance and guess I would just like a little advice on how to proceed.

 

[Woodonglass]

You can use epoxy but...your boat is made from polyester resin. Poly is about 60% less expensive than Epoxy, it's easier and faster to work with (My biased Opinion) and it will do the job as long as you prep the glass properly. Epoxy is more forgiving and will stick to about anything even if its not prepped correctly. You said the transom is solid. What have you done to KNOW this??

 

[86Lancer]

Thanks for the reply Woodonglass. Since taking the pics, I have cleaned, sanded and wiped with acetone so I feel I have prepped pretty well, I just chose the epoxy to take any doubt out of my mind about bonding. As far as the transom, I haven't taken any core samples or anything to that extreme, but there are no cracks, tap test sound solid at all spots, and I see no signs of flexing from tilt/trim when installing the motor otter on the trailer.

 

[Woodonglass]

Tapping and visual inspection really aren't that helpful. If you want to KNOW for sure you need to core sample it. It's NOT a problem to drill 1" deep 1/4" holes into the transom. If the shavings come back Light colored and Dry then get some 5 Minute epoxy and some fine saw dust from your sander and mix it up till its thick like mayonaise and fill the holes. At least you'll know for sure and NOT have to come back later and do the transom.