Stringer Repair

[twainiac]

I'm restoring a 16' Mark Twain bowrider. Had it running well for a couple of years but has sat around for several years. I believe what happened was the wood decking leaked allowing water to saturate the foam, allowing excess weight to cause yhe boat to ride low in the water, allowing water to enter the fuel tank vent, allowing fuel contamination, causing the engine to run crappy, causing half a season (last season used) of stress and many headaches. Well that is my theory so we'll see. Merc 140 only has about 50 hours on it since overhauled. Fun little boat, ran strong before the fuel contamination issues.

Wood floor has been removed and stringers / bulkheads are rotten, transom is actually in pretty good shape.

Would it be an acceptable repair to remove all rotten stringer / bulkhead material and fill voids with epoxy or fiberglass. Foam is in good condition and seems to make a good trough where the original stringers were. Would insert fiberglassed wood strips at top of stringer / bulkhead to secure wood decking to.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Bill

 

[SoDakJeep]

Re: Stringer Repair

I have the very same question. My Pops and I were talking about just using pour in foam to fill the stringer area and then putting down new decking. Would be intersted in what others have to offer.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Stringer Repair

Yep, there is a product call Seacast that is made just for that. Do a search her on the forum and you'll have plenty of reading. Here's just one...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=365820&page=11&highlight=micks110

 

[rickryder]

Re: Stringer Repair

I would suggest core samples of the foam to see if its water logged.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Stringer Repair

Yep, RR is right on that one Too!! Take a piece of 1 1/2" pvc and cut some teeth in one end of it. Screw it down into the foam all the way to the hull and pull it out and see what you get. It the foam is wet, then it will ALL have to come out. It will NEVER Dry out. NEVER!!!

 

[twainiac]

Re: Stringer Repair

Worked on it all day yesterday, found more wet foam so will remove and replace. Did find some good wood, lower half of several stringers still solid indicating leajage was from top down.

Can new wood be bonded successfully to old?

Is Seacast recommended over West epoxy or "Kitty Hair", a concoction of fiberglass fibers and resin, to fill voids. Thought was to drill holes in good wood and fill.

Thanks,

 

[rickryder]

Re: Stringer Repair

Only way to test your stringers and transom is to drill some core samples and check for good wood.....if shavings come out white and dry your good to go....wet damp or dark you have to replace them. Any wet foam will need to be removed because it will never dry out...

I have used Nida Bond (like Seacast) with good results but it is expensive.... Dig out your foam and lets see what your left with.....we will guide you on the best way to do your repairs.

I would look hard at the transom.....with the amount of stringer rot it may have gotten there too...

Take a look at my resto thread on splicing stringers