hull supports

[wjeffofl]

I have found lots of great info here and am going to tackle a floor, stringers, and transom. As much as I would rather be fishing this is currently the best way I can get me and the kids a bigger boat and not break the bank!<br /><br />My question is if I remove the stringers do I need to support the hull. It is on the trailer and feels very solid as I walk around on it as it is. Almost no flex what so ever. It is a single wall hull about 3/8" thick. The stringers feel solid except for the center one. I believe that they sat in water for a long time and I am afraid to do all the floor work and then have stringers that are bad. <br /><br />I have included some pics so you have an idea of what I am dealing with.<br /><br />Im sure I will be back with more questions when I get to the transom. I'll try to get some pictures when I go to work with the chain saw. Sounds fun???<br /><br />Thanks for any help.<br /><br /><br /> http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d626b3127cceb383862b4cce0000002610 <br /><br /> http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d626b3127cceb3838610cdc50000002610 <br /><br /> http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d626b3127cceb383818a0cf40000002610 <br /><br /> http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d626b3127cceb383b9da0cb80000002610 <br /><br /> http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d626b3127cceb38390ac4c420000002610

 

[Elk Chaser]

Re: hull supports

You should be fine, certainly if you just replace the center stringer. I<br /><br />If the trailer has bunks it's designed to help keep the hull straight and true. If it has rollers then the hull is thick enough to hold itself. So you should be OK to remove all the stringers and have at it.<br /><br />Drill some holes and finish them off with some glass to allow drainage between those chambers when you are done. Even if you refill those cavities with foam they should be allowed to drain out and dry.

 

[wjeffofl]

Re: hull supports

Thanks Elk. That was what I was thinking but I wanted some other opinions as I am doing this for the first time. Only want to do this once!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: hull supports

I did mine on my roller trailer. I did mine one stringer at a time, letting each stringer cure, and monitored the hull trueness. It ended up more true than before I started. Good luck...

 

[wjeffofl]

Re: hull supports

Thanks Jason. I am hearing what I wanted to hear! Hopefully no one comes along and rains on my parade. I found your page on the silverline restoration interesting and helpful. Thanks again.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: hull supports

I've seen them blocked on the forward portion of the keel and then on the first (top) chine near the stern/ main deck. Once the stringers and bulkheads are removed the hull can (will) flex and you'll build that new shape into the rebuild if not blocked level. Jason's way obviously works but if you want to or need to strip and rebuild all at once you may need to block if trailer does not provide good support.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: hull supports

Doing it on the trailer does take a lot of paying attention. I had to make sure it was sitting well before I stripped all the old out. What actually happend was once I got all the old material out, the hull went to the shape it was supposed to be. It had developed some hooks in some places and bows in other places from siting on the trailer with all the weight of waterlogged structure, but no actual structure to keep its shape. Once the hull had regained its shape, I had glassed in each stringer, made sure the hull was staying in the shape it needed to stay in, untill all stringers were in. You are not in the clear until the floor is glassed in. Only then do you have the torsional rigidity in place that comes from the floor, stringers, transom, and hull shell being fully glassed together. Its not rocket surgery, you just keep an eye on things, take your time, and you have a smokin' rig. Good luck...

 

[wjeffofl]

Re: hull supports

Ralph and Jason thanks for the info and help. I have already braced the sides across the top with 2x4's. When I went to remove the console I noticed the windshield would strike too far over and not close all the way (sides of the boat moved inward) which I figured was from the floor being mush. So I pushed the sides out until the windshield closed properly then braced it. <br />I think I will go ahead and add the additional support under the forward portion of the hull. I think the back will be ok as it sits on bunks for the back 1/3 of the hull and I added support under them to insure contact with the hull.