Prkranger2
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2005
- Messages
- 35
Is it possible to just use pressure treated lumber for stringers instead of using unpressure treated and fiberglass? I have to replace stringers.
I used standard pt from the local lumber yard and let it dry in my shop from several months to over a year. Center stringer was a 2"x12"x 20' timber. Side stringers were 3/4" plywood. The original floor was 1/2" ply and I upped the size to 3/4" to make up for the low grade lumber. Over kill with wood and glass added approx 100lbs to the boat. I can't tell it. <br /><br />Actually, the cheap ply was excellent. Hardly any voids and one side had no voids. Much better than we used to find years ago.<br /><br />I glassed (1.5oz mat & 18oz woven roven)the stringers (1.5,18,1.5,18)and transom (2 layers 1.5)using epoxy resin. The floor was sealed both sides with thinned epoxy resin and tabbed in around the edges with thickened epoxy and glass strips (1.5, 18, 1.5) approx 8" wide.<br /><br />Here's a pic showing the bottom of the floor after coating with epoxy...lots of it.<br />
<br /><br />The stuff has been around for years and is used here on the NC coast for building big boats from the ground up. Boat builders first called it Israeli plywood because it was made in Israel and is considered the best in the world. The trade name is Okoume, the reason it is used in big boats that stay in the water is it rot resistant and marine growth resistant.<br />Is it the best YES.....do you need it no. Got a grip on the mouse, a 4X8X 1/2 sheet will cost you $100.00, if you buy at least $10,000.00 worth the price drops to $89.00 per sheet.<br />I was at a Yacht builders place near Harkers Island, NC at Easter time, and they were building a 56 foot sportfisherman. The bottom has 3 layers of this plywood, then the hull is coated with epoxy. Inside they use epoxy and glass to totally seal the hull.<br />The massive stringers, to hold down the two big Cat. diesels, are also glass and epoxy. The bulkheads appeared to be regular exterior plywood with one layer of glass and epoxy.<br />Bill said he used regular treated plywood, I don't, but I respect his opinion. I think that with the possibility of the wood getting wet and leeching out the chemicals, the epoxy or Poly.will lose its bond. I have pulled out stringers made from reg plywood and poly that was rotten and it still had a bond to the plywood.<br />When I do stringers, I run a piece of yellow pine through the table saw, and cut a piece of wood to eliminate the 90 degree angle at the stringer, turning it into a 45 degree.<br />The hull is scuffed up, and the stringer is placed in resin and 6 oz. cloth. The angle piece is done the same way, and screwed into the stringer. I then build up this area with pieces of 10oz. running half way up the stringer. The top half on the stringer gets one layer of cloth and resin, that drapes over the stringer and meets the cloth on the other side. After it hardens, there is no "wiggle" in the stringer.<br /><br />Just a different way to skin a mountain lion. Prkranger2 - I also have a McDaniel, an 17' '85 Mark IV F&S. You are the only other person I've ever met that has one. Have you ever found and info regarding the McDaniel company and/or their boats? ANy pointers would be appreciated. Good luck with your restoration.<br /><br />Pete
Prkranger2 - I also have a McDaniel, an 17' '85 Mark IV F&S. You are the only other person I've ever met that has one. Have you ever found and info regarding the McDaniel company and/or their boats? ANy pointers would be appreciated. Good luck with your restoration.<br /><br />Pete