At what age do all stringers become a concern?

They don't all go bad. Find a nice boat and keep it that way, it will outlast you.

Wet foam trapped in a fiberglass structure is still a valid concern.

I don't think CCF has seen any damaged wood-less stringers yet.

The 1980 and up boats also use a cradle which does help some when the stringers start to get water logged. The cradle helps keep things closer to where they need to be. However, you still need to do an alignment now matter what year you end up with.

JMO,

Donald

Read the stringer description in this ad.

If you're old, might not be able to read it above. Correct Craft down playing composite stringers.

Cumby wrote: Sorry, I wasn't being very clear. I meant that the last time I was around a Nautique was probably when most of these boats we are talking about were new! That being the case, there certainly wasn't any major mechanical issues with them that I was exposed to back then. Fast fwd 20+ years later with me not plugged in to skiing much at all (and boat-less that whole time), and you guys are talking some different language on some of this stuff. I understand the shaft alignment issue but I was confused and thought we were still talking about some alignment on the stringers. Ive been in a boat with a badly bent shaft before. Pretty ugly.

As Donald mentioned, the aluminum engine cradle that CC started using in 1980 largely prevents alignment issues due to stringer deterioration. Checking/setting proper alignment is always important on any inboard. However, a boat whose engine mounts are sitting directly on the stringers and lagged down to them is very much depending on the condition of those stringers in order to maintain proper alignment. If those lags loosen, allowing the motor to move, or if the stringers rot to the point where the mounts fall into them (I have seen this on several occasions), misalignment will occur. Boats with cradles spread the weight over a much larger area of the stringers, are lagged down to them in more points, and in CC's case, connect the 2 stringers together (as well as the pylon). This makes for a far superior engine mounting scheme that is far less dependent on stringer condition in order to stay put.

Not that stringer condition is unimportant in a cradled boat, but its not as critical in maintaining proper powertrain alignment.

Nope

Just a nickname for me. What school? That name sounds familiar to me...not sure from where.

Did the exhaust get changed in 93? That's one thing I would miss!

Yep, 89 for the single 4 inch exhaust with invertaflow muffler.

Ah yes, Dorman. The school/campus is so large the kids refer to it as the "U" and flash the Miami sign at football games. I'm from Greenville and went to Eastside. The Duval's original home.

PN

i did that!! i swear it wasn't filled in when I checked

8122pbrainard wrote: MI-nick wrote: your first name wouldn't happen to be Jason, would it?? Nick, Click on a members profile and if filled in you will typically find a first name! You will see in my post above, I found his name to be Glen!