Stringer Issues?

Tim,

Thank you, this video is exactly what I needed to get started.

Jeff

Thanks guys. As I am unfamiliar with how to work on these boats, your advice is much appreciated.

I drilled down through the tops with a 1/4 bit.

What Chris is suggesting is using a 1-inch hole saw to drill through the side of the stringer.

Once you do this, you should have a good idea of what the wood is like. If it is wet or rotten you'll probably want to start tearing it up (or wait until October to do it). If it is dry and you are confident about it, you'll need some epoxy and fiberglass to patch it up and ensure it remains waterproof.

Jeff,
Welcome to CCfan. Keep us informed on your exploration and get us some pictures. The methods Jeff and Chris mentioned are good ones. I'd also suggest checking your engine/shaft/log/strut alignment. It too can indicate stringer problems.

Jeff, you'd be a good test case. Being the original and only owner, if you could characterize how you treated the boat and then determine what the stringers are like, it may prove useful.

Where between the extremes are you? Are you the kind of owner that never left wet stuff on the floor, made people dry off on the platform, always kept it covered in rain, etc... or did you allow a lot of wet towels laying around, and leave it uncovered in rain?

However, even if you babied it, we know that there were some quality control issues over the years.

The best way is to be a bit invasive, and as SNObsessed said, drill core samples into the stringers. For me, all I had to do was drill down through the tops with a 1/4" bit and I knew. Every core I pulled out was wet. I also had a lot of delamination.

If it isn't obvious to you, then do as SNObsessed said and use a hole saw through the stringer in a few key spots. If things are dry, then you'll be able to patch it up and sleep well.

Once you take the carpet off you'll probably also have a good idea. You'll know if there are any obvious spots, but if the bond between the floor and sidewall is weak you can expect water to be in the foam, and probably the stringers.

Floor rot is pretty evident with soft spots, but another way to evaluate is to remove some seat base screws (Driver & observer).

I drilled some holes in the stringers using a 1 inch hole saw (right behind engine where I could get drill access)- limit depth to the glass layer. Mine were dry, so I just patched the holes with cloth & epoxy resin.