Making patterns for stringers

Homerr

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Mar 4, 2002
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2,294
I'm BAAACKKK!<br /><br />After a long hot summer, it's cool enough to get back to my boat restoration.<br /><br />Apologies in advance if I've already asked some of these questions. I haven't really been on this board since it's overhaul. I've searched the forums for stringer patterns and didn't turn up anything.<br /><br />So far, I have one set of the stringers completely removed and the glass taken down to about 1" from the bottom of the boat. <br />It's time to do the nasty and break out the grinder. I think I'm going to take the glass down to the bare hull and start completely fresh.<br />There is just too much crud where the old stringers sat.<br /><br />My question for today is, how can I make a good pattern to cut my new stringers?<br /><br />My old stringers were completely destroyed by rot. There is nothing left to even start a pattern. I thought of stiff cardboard, or even some cheap plywood or cheaper wood of the same height, but there has to be a way easier!<br /><br />How do the builders do it? What's the secret?<br /><br />I have some fairly expensive wood for the new stringers, and I only have one shot at getting them cut right.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.
 

snapperbait

Vice Admiral
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Aug 20, 2002
Messages
5,754
Re: Making patterns for stringers

Cardboard would be a good choice that way you can trim away till its right on... When I did my stringers a couple of months ago I cut them to length and placed them in the boat on blocks that were the same height as the finished stringer... I then used a large set of dividers to draw a line for the curve... Once I had it roughly trimed out I used a couple different sanders to make the bevel on the bottom..Go back and forth fitting the piece and triming till ya got it as close as possible..Its very time comsuming...I made sure to leave a couple inches extra on the top so once they were bedded in I could cut the top at exactly the height I needed...Work slowly & carefully and only trim little bits at a time... ;)
 

BillP

Captain
Joined
Aug 10, 2002
Messages
3,290
Re: Making patterns for stringers

I fastened a string from bow to stern where the top of the stringer was supposed to be. Then I marked stations at 12" spacing on the string. After that, I measured from top of string down to hull at each station. This gave me dimensions to loft directly on the wood. I used a thin wood batten to fair the lines..and cut the stringer from there. All I had to do was bevel the front of the stringer to fit the vee in the bow...otherwise it fit first cut.<br /><br />The hardest part was fastening the string to the hull. I ended up using small screws and then filling the holes they made.
 

Homerr

Commander
Joined
Mar 4, 2002
Messages
2,294
Re: Making patterns for stringers

Thanks for the info averyone!<br /><br />Never would have thought of string.<br /><br />LOL! guess that would be a challenge to fasten the string.<br /><br />I'm ready! Anyone want to come over and grind the glass? Free beer!<br /><br />H.
 

CRUIZER

Recruit
Joined
Sep 8, 2002
Messages
3
Re: Making patterns for stringers

HI HOMERR IM NEW TO THIS SITE .JUST THINKING ABOUT YOUR STRINGER SETUP, IF THEY ARE SUPPORTING A SOLE MAKE SURE YOUR BOAT IS SET LEVEL.REGARDS CRUIZER
 

Homerr

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Mar 4, 2002
Messages
2,294
Re: Making patterns for stringers

Nice point Cruizer,<br /><br />Where would one measure for level? On the bottom of the hull, the old stringer, the deck, trailer?<br />Just curious.<br /><br />It's on a trailer, however I'm considering taking it off that and blocking it up.<br />I have a friend who use to work at a (now bankrupt) boat building place that can hopefully get some of their stands.<br /><br />I don't like roller trailers to begin with, and restoring stringers on one might not turn good results.<br /><br />Oh, and Cruizer: Turn your caps off! It means you're yelling if they are on! <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.
 

dmessy

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 8, 2001
Messages
505
Re: Making patterns for stringers

Level is relative on a boat. Suggest using points whereboat hull meets the gunnels front and rear for the tight line.
 

CRUIZER

Recruit
Joined
Sep 8, 2002
Messages
3
Re: Making patterns for stringers

Morning H,Thanks 4 the tip on speaking softly.Sounds like youve got a fair bit of work to do.firstly i would build a stable platform to work with. i have always supported my small boats with a v type section {v} on 2 verticals {I I}and a flat {-} on the bottom on the aft side of the hull.some simple packers to bring the forward section up level will suffice{packed up on the chine.theres nothing worse than working on a boat that moves around and if theres kids around it could be dangerous.the boat will need to be levelled both fore and aft and transversly{across}for transverse use your chines as they should be correct.for fore and aft u really need a waterline,if u dont have one i would suggest u put the boat in the water if u can .these three steps are fairly important as the rest of your boat will be built off these settings.hope this helps gotta go to work -CRUIZER
 

Homerr

Commander
Joined
Mar 4, 2002
Messages
2,294
Re: Making patterns for stringers

What happened to the rest of this post?<br /><br />IT'S GONE!<br /><br />H.
 

snapperbait

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
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Re: Making patterns for stringers

It's because of the now infamous "Steve" incident.... :rolleyes:
 

Homerr

Commander
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Mar 4, 2002
Messages
2,294
Re: Making patterns for stringers

I must have missed that.<br />Can you fill me in? <br /><br />I'm curious.<br /><br />H.
 

snapperbait

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
5,754
Re: Making patterns for stringers

On October 29 a fella named "Steve" was changing a file server and neglected to have a back up resulting in the loss of all posts between October 2 and October 29.....<br /><br />If you wish to tell what you think should happen to "Steve", go to the Nothing to do with Boats Page and have a look at the thread on "What should happen to Steve".... ;)
 
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