Boats For Sale:
Stringers...how do i check them??? |
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theumer 
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Joined: July-14-2008 Status: Offline Points: 46 |
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 Topic: Stringers...how do i check them???Posted: July-29-2008 at 6:43pm |
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I have a 1987 Ski Centurion that just underwent the tranny rebuild...$$$ that was fun
 It has been properly aligned, but I want to make sure that it will stay that way and that my stringers are still good...question is how do I check them without making holes? Thanks for all the help....love this forum!
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nates78ski
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Joined: January-24-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1041 |
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Posted: July-29-2008 at 7:59pm |
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try tightening the lags that hold the motor mounts in. If they spin freely w/o tightening, you probably need some stringers. If they just tighten fine, then you're fine.
Nate |
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theumer
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Posted: July-29-2008 at 8:10pm |
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thanks for the reply nate. sounds pretty quick and easy!
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: July-29-2008 at 8:19pm |
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theurmer.
Nates comment on the lag bolts is good but I do need tell you that the only real way is to drill some holes through the glass on the stringers. The lags don't go deep enough into the stringer to really tell. Rot also may be in other areas as well fore and or aft. The lag bolt trick is a non-destructive test typically used when looking at a boat to buy. |
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BuffaloBFN
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Joined: June-24-2007 Location: Gainesville,GA Status: Offline Points: 6094 |
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Posted: July-29-2008 at 8:29pm |
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My stringers were in pretty good shape under the engine cradle. They weren't in good shape under the removable floor in the back and in the very front.
Vertical lines in the gel coat in the rear portion at the water line directly corresponded to the weak spots. The front didn't show in the gel...probably because of my V hull and the strakes coming together. |
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stang72
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Posted: July-31-2008 at 3:07am |
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Petes method will tell you more than simply spinning the lag bolts...a small amount of rot could be present in small areas such as motor mounts and tranny mounts(because there are holes there) and not present a real problem or be else where...I have seen a small amount of rotting at the lag bolts...just enough to strip the thread...but the wood was firm as you press harder...easy fix. Other areas could have rot and the lag bolts are firm. So really...the only way you would know is to sample different areas...then fill the drill holes.
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62 wood
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Posted: July-31-2008 at 3:56am |
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The above drilling way is probably the best, but when looking at a boat to buy, one that most sellers wouldn't appreciate.
Besides checking the bolts, I take an ice pick and hammer. You can prod the stringers with the ice pick. Also try tapping on them with a hammer. A rotten place in the stringer will have a duller thud sound than the solid portions. Biggest thing is trying to access then with the floor in place. Not a scientific way, but may sometimes help find potential problems.. |
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theumer
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Posted: July-31-2008 at 3:57pm |
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well and to think i was pleased to find that my engine and tranny mount bolts were biting hard! thanks for the pointers...i'm a little weary about drilling holes in the stringers until the end of the season.
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tapenick
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Joined: May-17-2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 185 |
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Posted: August-06-2008 at 2:15am |
Can someone provide more info on the vertical lines indicating weak stringers? Do they make the side of the boat look 'wavey'? |
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BuffaloBFN wrote: