what use for stringers and foam

[lime4x4]

Currently rebuilding a 1986 268 searay weekender. Found the transom was shot and the stringers are also bad along with alot of wet foam. What can i use for foam? I've seen a few posts were guys are using styrofoam but that was mainly for little boats. My stringers were a sold peice of wood around 2.5 inches thick 8 inches high and almost 5 feet long.

 

[Bondo]

Re: what use for stringers and foam

Ayuh,... Stringers,+ the transom are usually just built up Plywood...
Laminate up whatever sizes you need...

Foam can be pour in place, or foam board, or None at all... Your choice...

 

[all yeah boy]

Re: what use for stringers and foam

I used plywood for my transom and stringers. One thing I learned, about plywood stringers, they do not take screws well when I went to attach the sub-floor. The screws blew out some sections of the stringers. The ply wood delaminated due to the tension force created when the screw entered into the plys.

I know this now and on the next project will use a different method.

 

[shawnc]

Re: what use for stringers and foam

I used polystyrene builder's foam I got at Lowe's in my 16' bass boat when I replaced the floor. I got 4x8' sheet 2" thick for ~$20, which is equal to around 5 cubic feet, but it has to be cut to fit. Circular saw works great, but don't run at full RMP's or else the blade will get hot and melt the foam. I just tapped the trigger occassional and it cuts like butter. I glued it to the floor with foam board glue (PL brand).

I used a compass to trace the contour of the floor along the edge of the foam, cut the angle of the floor along the traced edge (used an angle finder for that - turned out to be ~15 degrees), and figured out where ther floor would be to cut it for height using a straight edge (level) and tape measure to the hull.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: what use for stringers and foam

I used sea cast in my transom and for my stringers....$$$ but it worked great. If you aren't planning on having it for a long time you might think about the plywood. After I got the floor in I used a pour foam, worked great to stiffen up the floor. Looks like you are off to a great start! Hang in there!

 

[lime4x4]

Re: what use for stringers and foam

I decided to use 2 2x8 doubled to make my stringers up. I'm going to coat them atleast 3 times in pure epoxy resin before pb to the hull. Should i wrap them in a layer of cloth before attaching to the hull?