Stringer and deck repair while on trailer

[WLH214]

New to the site but have absorbed quite a bit of restoration information already. I have acquired a 17' VIP Vision bow rider I/O that even though has been in the desert (NM & AZ) most of its' life needs new stringers and deck.
It came on a 4 bunk style trailer so my question is should I remove the boat to replace the stringers or is there sufficient support from the trailer?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Stringer and deck repair while on trailer

Do you know if you can leave the cap on, or will it have to come off? I think that would make a crucial difference...

Jim

 

[further]

Re: Stringer and deck repair while on trailer

My understanding is as long as it's a bunk trailer you can add supports to the frame of the trailer and build up to support the hull no matter if you take the cap off or not. If you don't take the cap off then you don't have to be too concerned with the hull flexing too much even on the trailer and there's really no need for building additional supports. I ended up leaving my cap on but cutting it at the gunwales at the rear to get at the transom and am using straps to just keep it from moving too much while I'm working in it. I think the main concern is twisting and movement of the hull with the cap off making reinstallation of the cap difficult if not impossible. If you do take the cap off, many on here build cradles and I think I would too if room allowed as this would bring the hull closer to the ground making it easier to work on in addition to providing the support while you're rebuilding.

 

[jc55]

Re: Stringer and deck repair while on trailer

I'm new to the boat world but have built a couple of hot rod frames. Leveling the boat from side to side independent of sloping garage floors (which seem level), and changing trailer tire pressure conditions has given me a point of reference that has come in handy so far in my build. Just my two cents.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Stringer and deck repair while on trailer

Welcome to iBoats!

It's very hard to give definitive advice on this subject without being able to see the boat sitting on the trailer. Post some pics so we can see what you see and we can guide you from there. If you post some pics of the inside, back by the engine compartment and transom we can prolly determine if you will need to de-capitate her or will be able to accomplish the restoration with the cap on.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Stringer and deck repair while on trailer

Even old rotten boats sit on a trailer well enough, but when you take the guts out them them they're floppy and flimsy compared to with the guts in.

We have seen some restorations go terribly wrong because the boat wasn't supported well enough with the guts out, hull hooks and twists when you least expect them and are a nightmare no one wants to live. We've seen projects very close to completion abandoned because a hook or twist.

I personally would build a cradle, a good one that supported the boat both fore to aft and port to starboard. I'd also level the cradle with the boat on it both ways too.

Here's a thread with some good examples of cradles:
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-restoration-building-hull-repair/boat-hull-cradle-help-584635.html

 

[WLH214]

Re: Stringer and deck repair while on trailer

Greatly appreciate the replies, as requested I will try and post some pictures. At this time I do not plan on removing the cap. I test drilled some holes in the stringers forward of dash, wood is solid and dry, and the transom is in great shape. The damage is limited to the middle 6' of each stringer, but I plan on replacing 10' from the transom forward. The rot is from the saturated foam, PO replaced port side deck and tried to repair stringer but ignored starboard and aft.
The stringers are 12" from center line, the only bulkheads are at the engine box and fuel tank. The lower bunks of trailer are 10' long and spaced 16" apart (8" ea. side of keel), the outer/upper bunks are 16" from keel, but they are only 6' long.