new to me 97 ski sanger dlx 20 stringer movement near stern

[Rugglesworth]

Hi everyone, I just picked up a low hour ski sanger dlx 20 that has a loose stringer near the stern. I got it cheap so I am ok with having to do work on it. I know the proper way is to completely replace it but I am not going to be able to do that for a while and I want to use it this season for 2 weeks at the lake. Am I able to sister another piece of wood next to it and glass it together? maybe add a couple of bulk heads or cross braces to it for the time being so I can use it this season? Also, what would cause the stringer to be able to be moved side to side about a 1/4"? Detached from the transom? Thanks in advance

 

[alldodge]

Loose stringer, .. If it was mine it would not see water until fixed

If you do go out anyway, make sure everyone wears a life jacket full time

 

[Rugglesworth]

thanks, I plan of doing some sort of fix. I've read you can drill and fill with epoxy as well? add some more fiberglass for strength? adding another right next to the old one? Just looking to see if there are any alternatives besides having to rip it all out

 

[JASinIL2006]

I personally wouldn't use the boat and I wouldn't take anyone out on the boat, unless they signed a liability waiver. If your stringer is that bad, who knows what other structure is compromised?

 

[Rugglesworth]

I personally wouldn't use the boat and I wouldn't take anyone out on the boat, unless they signed a liability waiver. If your stringer is that bad, who knows what other structure is compromised?

Yes, I don't plan on taking it out until I have it solid. I'm pretty sure I explained that already. I'm not using it until it's been addressed. I am looking for ideas on ways to repair it. The rest of the boat is solid. The only reason the PO noticed it was because he opened up the floor to get at the steering cable. there were no symptoms while running the boat. I on the other hand want to make sure it's secured and glassed in before I use it. I've also heard you can make a scarf joint and just replace part of the stringer and I'll be looking into that as well. I have to dig into it this week once it arrives.

 

[flashback]

A stringer would not generally break loose unless it's rotten. I don't see how you could scarf it while still in the boat.
.

 

[jbcurt00]

No way to know how bad it really is until you peel the onion by cutting it open.

W/out pix, sounds like a full gut: stringers transom & deck.

I/O or outboard?

 

[flashback]

No way to know how bad it really is until you peel the onion by cutting it open.

W/out pix, sounds like a full gut: stringers transom & deck.

I/O or outboard?

I believe it's a full inboard like a master craft ..

 

[Rugglesworth]

No way to know how bad it really is until you peel the onion by cutting it open.

W/out pix, sounds like a full gut: stringers transom & deck.

I/O or outboard?

It's a DD ski boat. The hull looks to be in great condition, no bubbles, cracks, flexing. These boats are known to be very solid. As far as scarfing, I figured I cut the angle in the boat and pull out the rotten part. Obviously if the whole thing is toast to the bow I won't be able to scarf anything. I was thinking I could sister another board to it and glass it in possibly and add a couple bulk heads to secure it all for the short term. I actually better check the attachment of the stringer to the transom.... Maybe it came apart there and that's why there is movement

 

[todhunter]

It's a DD ski boat. The hull looks to be in great condition, no bubbles, cracks, flexing. These boats are known to be very solid. As far as scarfing, I figured I cut the angle in the boat and pull out the rotten part. Obviously if the whole thing is toast to the bow I won't be able to scarf anything. I was thinking I could sister another board to it and glass it in possibly and add a couple bulk heads to secure it all for the short term. I actually better check the attachment of the stringer to the transom.... Maybe it came apart there and that's why there is movement

Welcome to the forum. Honestly, 99% of folks on here are not going to recommend anything besides a full repair done the right way - its just the way this particular forum is. So, if you're looking for advice on a "just for the season" repair, you may not find it here.

The wooden stringers in boats of this era are typically all connected under the fiberglass. This means if one rots, they all rot. The chance that you caught the beginning stages of rot on a boat this old are slim. You're loose stringer is likely the tip of the iceberg. Not trying to be Debbie Downer, just saying that's typically the case.

I recommend you investigate further by drilling some test holes with a 1/4" drill bit on some of the other stringers and the transom, and evaluate the wood shavings that come out. If it's fresh light colored wood, fill the drill holes with 3M 5200. If the chips are grey, dark, wet, black, smelly, powdery, or anything but fresh wood, you've got rot that needs addressing. See here for where I did mine.

 

[flashback]

So, you haven't laid hands on it yet. Post a pic or two when you get eyes on it.

 

[stresspoint]

back in the old days before the internet and anal people we used some pretty dodgy boats on the water without the whole things falling to bits under us .

glue up that stringer that's loose with some 5200 and go boating.

its more than likely come loose because the boat was thrashed in rough water " smacking wakes from other boats is a common cause , it happens more often than some would imagine" , there are thousands of boats on the water with loose or rotted stringers that are being used daily .

i would say ( without a pic or a vid ) that it would hold up for a season with some strategic gluing with 5200 to create a bond to the hull skin.
let sleeping dogs lie till you can get into it for a substantial tear down and structural repair , any dodging up with fiberglass is going to be futile as bonding takes lots of prep to get it solid as the original structure would have been.

 

[Rugglesworth]

Welcome to the forum. Honestly, 99% of folks on here are not going to recommend anything besides a full repair done the right way - its just the way this particular forum is. So, if you're looking for advice on a "just for the season" repair, you may not find it here.

The wooden stringers in boats of this era are typically all connected under the fiberglass. This means if one rots, they all rot. The chance that you caught the beginning stages of rot on a boat this old are slim. You're loose stringer is likely the tip of the iceberg. Not trying to be Debbie Downer, just saying that's typically the case.

I recommend you investigate further by drilling some test holes with a 1/4" drill bit on some of the other stringers and the transom, and evaluate the wood shavings that come out. If it's fresh light colored wood, fill the drill holes with 3M 5200. If the chips are grey, dark, wet, black, smelly, powdery, or anything but fresh wood, you've got rot that needs addressing. See here for where I did mine.

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it. I will do that and report back once I've had the chance to dig into it more.

 

[Rugglesworth]

So, you haven't laid hands on it yet. Post a pic or two when you get eyes on it.

100% I will. I am very mechanically inclined and I am sure I will be able to tackle this no matter how deep I get. I'm also a glutton for punishment.

 

[Rugglesworth]

back in the old days before the internet and anal people we used some pretty dodgy boats on the water without the whole things falling to bits under us .

glue up that stringer that's loose with some 5200 and go boating.

its more than likely come loose because the boat was thrashed in rough water " smacking wakes from other boats is a common cause , it happens more often than some would imagine" , there are thousands of boats on the water with loose or rotted stringers that are being used daily .

i would say ( without a pic or a vid ) that it would hold up for a season with some strategic gluing with 5200 to create a bond to the hull skin.
let sleeping dogs lie till you can get into it for a substantial tear down and structural repair , any dodging up with fiberglass is going to be futile as bonding takes lots of prep to get it solid as the original structure would have been.

I appreciate your response and yes I believe I can shore it up for a season. There are many ways to skin a cat they say. I will however give it a good inspection first before making my decision on how to tackle it.

 

[Rugglesworth]

When I do decide to glass, should I use epoxy or old polyester resin? What are the pros and cons of both?

 

[Rugglesworth]

Looks like epoxy is the way to go when bonding new to old

 

[todhunter]

I would do everything in polyester resin. Cheaper, works just fine, adjustable cure time, can apply gelcoat over it, it's what your boat is made of, so it's compatible.....the list goes on

 

[rxl650]

back in the old days before the internet and anal people we used some pretty dodgy boats on the water without the whole things falling to bits under us .

glue up that stringer that's loose with some 5200 and go boating.

This made me laugh. I dont condone unsafe boating and dont try this at home.
Had an old 14' thundercraft ski boat a life time ago with a 135 chrysler and a transom with corner brackets to hold it together. Not my handy work. The transom was water loggerd to the point I could dig a hole in it with finger.
While watching some off shore racing, my buddy and I got the idea to go out in 3-4' rollers and see if we could dismantle the boat. Staying close to shore of course. 5 gallons of gas and an hour later we loaded it back on the trailer and went home. We had that boat, prop and all, out of the water as much as in the water. Just sayin

 

[Rugglesworth]

This made me laugh. I dont condone unsafe boating and dont try this at home.
Had an old 14' thundercraft ski boat a life time ago with a 135 chrysler and a transom with corner brackets to hold it together. Not my handy work. The transom was water loggerd to the point I could dig a hole in it with finger.
While watching some off shore racing, my buddy and I got the idea to go out in 3-4' rollers and see if we could dismantle the boat. Staying close to shore of course. 5 gallons of gas and an hour later we loaded it back on the trailer and went home. We had that boat, prop and all, out of the water as much as in the water. Just sayin

ha! yes my buddy and I took an old Boston Whaler cheap knock off out into the open ocean in 5 to 6 foot waves. We managed to survive but also managed to partially rip out the center consol and some flooring. Hull was completely fine however. This is going to be used on a small lake that has very little wave action most of the time. However once the weather gets better here I am looking into it. Boats at my house now just been monsooning for the past couple of days.