Checking for rot

[JonSuz]

I have a "new to me" 1985 Sundancer 270 and I'd like to take the winter to do any repairs needed. How do I locate and check the stringers for rot without tearing into everything?

 

[zool]

Take a drill and bit, marked with a piece of tape at around 1/2 inch and test drill lower areas of the stringers, look at the shavings, dry and blond = good, wet, back and ugly = bad. Fill back in with any epoxy filler. also check for delamination under the galley cabinets, they re prone to fail there.

 

[Scott Danforth]

youre going to find lots of moisture in the transom and the stringers supporting the motors. SeaRays of that vintage are notorious for it.

 

[tpenfield]

I would think you will find at least high levels of moisture, if not some areas of rot, in a 37 year old boat. Drill some 1/4" holes in the engine bay stringers , bulkhead and transom within 2" of the hull and see if you get water, mush, or dry wood.

You could also drill just slightly through the fiberglass layer in those areas to expose the wood and use a $40 (ish) moisture meter to check . . . if you find solid wood.

Once you are done apply some epoxy to the holes . . . if you get good results. Or . . . if not, you will be cutting out stuff, so those small holes won't matter