replacing Stringers & Floor, maybe Transom

[Minib78]

I have a 1975 Caravelle 22' with a Mercruiser I/O 888(ford 302)

The floor is rotten, the stringers well basically nothing left,
probably won't be able to use them to trace.
the stringers are plywood and measure at 7/8" thick x 7 3/4" high ,
the floor is 3/4" thick plywood, will replace with 3/4" plywood
I don't know about the transom yet, still have to remove the engine.

Motor mounts are attach to just the fiberglass. Wood has fallen and bouncing around

I will be using epoxy, it is easier to use & seals the wood better, from what I hear.

I'm wonder for the stringers if I would be able to use 1"x8"x whatever length that I need them at.
Or is it wiser to replace with plywood again?
And what Fiberglass should be used? Cloth, mat, woven roving, biaxial and what oz's 4,6,12?

Any help would greatly appreciated
Thanks
Brian

 

[BonairII]

Re: replacing Stringers & Floor, maybe Transom

You're looking at quite a bit of time and money to restore your boat. Just be sure that you know what you're getting into before spending your hard earned money.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: replacing Stringers & Floor, maybe Transom

Welcome to iBoats!
Lots of great help here. The first link in my signature below has some good info on fabricating Deck, Stringers and Transoms.
I'd recommend using Poly. Your boat is made from it and it seals the wood just fine. Lot's less expensive too. Overall you'll save $3-5 hundred bucks over the cost of Epoxy. Arauco Plywood from Lowe's of HD is really good 7 ply plywood with few voids and 100% waterproof glue. This will be helpful too...

Here is a helpful table for cloth:
There are about 150 ounces per gallon by weight

• 1.5 OZ MAT = 1 gallon covers 4.2 square yds
• 1.5 ounce cloth ( cloth not chopped mat)?.1 gallon wets out 40 square yards
• 2.5 ounce cloth?.1 gallon wets out 25 square yards
• 4 ounce cloth??1 gallon wets out 15 square yards
• 6 ounce cloth??1 gallon wets out 10 square yards
• 10 ounce cloth?..1 gallon wets out 6.5 square yards
• 18 ounce woven roving ?1 gallon wets out 4.5 square yards
• 24 ounce woven roving ?1 gallon wets out 3.5 square yards.
• Biaxial mat 1708.????.. 1 gallon wets out 4 square yards

Please remember several things:
- these are estimates not hard and fast rules.
- if you are laminating over wood, the raw wood will soak up some resin, which is good, but you will use more resin on the first layer.

For a Typical 16 foot Ski Boat doing Stringers, Transom and Deck,
I?d recommend ordering the following?
15 gallons of Laminating Resin (maybe 15)
25 yds of 1.5oz CSM (Chopped Strand Mat)
15 yds of 1708 Biaxial Cloth
10 qts of Cabosil
4lbs of ?? chopped Strand
Fiberglass Roller
If you are going to Gelcoat the deck 2 gallons of unwaxed Gelcoat and some wax for the final coat.
You might want to get some glass bubbles if you want to make your own Fairing filler.
.
Make sure and get all the PPE too. Best Respirator (Full Face preferred), Tyvek Suit, Gloves etc.. Do lots of reading here so you can see what others have done. You'll learn a lot.

 

[Minib78]

Re: replacing Stringers & Floor, maybe Transom

Thank you Woodonglass & BonairII

I've watched and read a few people doing there stringers and bulk heads, floor on Iboats

motor runs great, I have another motor as well just sitting here.
the drive seems to be ok. no grinding or anything out of the normal.
had it out a few times last year before noticing the floor in the back corner, when my GF went through it ..
I know it will cost more then the boat, but its a solid boat..
I'm in store for a big job, just want to do it right thats all.

Thanks
Minib

 

[ShellBack89]

Re: replacing Stringers & Floor, maybe Transom

It looks like a good looking boat. Nice thing about doing it yourself is that you'll know you did it right & that it will last a long time. Good luck.