What do i need?

Im going to start a stringer floor job here as soon as i can get my car to the lake garage, and my boat to the house garage.

I have owned this boat for 3 years. Last summer i was doing some work on the ole CC and noticed one of my motor mount lag bolts looked loose i went to snug it up and it just spun freely. I took it out with a claw hammer and it looked more like a nail then a lag bolt. needless to say i have a bit of a problem. Last thing i want to happen is the motor to come loose underway.

So i have been lurking this site and have read many stringer threads. I want to come up with a list of supplies i will need to do the job so i cant start ordering the things i need.

1. I see alot of people are using Douglas Fur for the main stringers. Im having a hard time locating this wood. Is there anything eles i can use in its place? Also what is the best material to use for the secondary stringers?

2. Looks like most people are using a epoxy resin like the west system. Is this what i should go with? How much do you think is needed to do a whole boat?

3. i have seen many talks about bonding the stringers to the hull of the boat can i use 5200 for this?

4. How many layers of glass are you guys putting down on the stringers? And whats the best glass to use for this type job.


5. Where is the best place to get some of this stuff. I mean i can go to the West marine down the street how ever i think its going to be more expensive that way.

6. What does the average stringer job cost the do it your selfer?

7. Here is a picture of my boat








Thanks In advance
Eric

looks to be a 71 to 73 stang!

I cant see the pictures above, but Im assuming this is the same boat you posted about buying in Jan '08:



Jeff, its a '71 Martinique. It has a lot of the same fancy trim as the Mustang, but rides on a Ski Nautique hull.

Eric, all of your questions are pretty common for those just starting to look at a stringer rebuild. My recommendation would be to read these threads- they contain a ton of info and should anwser your questions.

TRBenj wrote: Keeganino wrote: Seriously though I have so much to learn before I even think about making my first cuts. Threads are great and key info is hidden all through them but... A book would be great. Any recommendations? I think you'll find more than enough info here on the forums to answer any question that you have. Search, search, search- and read, read, read! Here are some big hitters on stringer/floor jobs. My apologies to anyone I forgot. In no particular order: Buffalo's '88 Barefoot Nautique Skibum's '87 Ski Nautique rebuild (and his website) aka's '83 SN Wakeslayer's '68 Stang Joe in NY's all composite 60mph Nautique rebuild The Grinch's '79 BFN UK79's '78SN Hasbeenskier has also done a beautiful job restoring 2 '81's with composites... a SN and a BFN. He has numerous threads on each, so do some clicking and read those too.

storm34 wrote: what about coosa?

Tim will have to give is opinion since he just used it but to me it sounds like a lot more work to use coosa and definitely more expensive. Lots of laminating.

$2000, 200 hours, 20 cases of beer.

This is just for the stringers. As mentioned above, there are a lot of things you will run across that will add to the cost.
My advice is to read everything you can more than once. Listen when people give a consensus on advice. Do not take shortcuts. They just aren't worth the percieved time or money savings.
Lastly, put your head down and give it horns. It is a labor of love, and a sh!t ton of work, but it is well worth all the work once you are back on the water knowing you made your boat better than new again.

Thats a good looking boat, love that model. Lets see some pictures of the motor/bilge.

TRBenj i see in your thread you got 5 gallons of Med and 5 gallons of Fast.

I havent done too much fiberglass work in my time, but i am a fast learner. So what do you pro's suggest for a 1st timer?

My garage stays about 45-55 degrees when im not working i get it up to about 70 when im in there i dont know if this will effect what resin to use?

well i plan on doing the demo here in the next few weeks. I plan to be fitting stringers in about 6-8 weeks. maybe i will wait to order that part of it untill im ready. does usc take awhile to ship?

speaking of shipping what did you guys pay to have this stuff delivered?

Should i get the the Thick or Thin resin?

sanity wrote: Hi Eric, I couldn't find Douglas Fir in PA, but I did find it in MD and we had a crew working there. They picked it up for me. The company is called World of Hardwoods and it's near Elkridge. worldofhardwoods.com Hope that helps you. Sanity

Great thank you. they have it listed on their site. i will call tomorrow

My USC order was here in a week and the shipping was probably $200. Get the 635 thin resin.

Eric H wrote: TRBenj i see in your thread you got 5 gallons of Med and 5 gallons of Fast. I havent done too much fiberglass work in my time, but i am a fast learner. So what do you pro's suggest for a 1st timer? My garage stays about 45-55 degrees when im not working i get it up to about 70 when im in there i dont know if this will effect what resin to use?

Keegan's advice is pretty good. Stick with the 635 thin resin. We did a decent amount of glassing through the winter, so we used the fast cure stuff when the temps were low. Once spring hit, the medium cure works best.

WakeSlayer wrote: Timing is another thing to consider. I don't think any of this goes as fast or smoothly as you think it will. At least the first time around... If you are even remotely uncertain about your ability to dedicate all the time necessary in the next few weeks, I would wait and get after it in earnest in October, right when the season end. That gives you six solid months to work on it. I would hate to see you get started, run into time issues, or budget issues, and not get the boat on the water til August. That would suck.

I think im just going to go for it. My room mate got a 2008 210 super air. Honestly we have been using that more then my little boat. I cant keep giving myself excuses to put it off any longer.

I have some time a 2 buddies that are ready to dive it head 1st. all and all im pretty excited to do this and learn!!

Thanks for all the help guys. Im going to hold off of ordering the resin until i get the boat stripped. This way i can better judge the weather.

If i do this with out foam, I should put in more support? I think i may shy away from the foam at this point.

Keegan, that was not directed at anyone in particular.   I know how it goes, is all. My wife was an Epoxy Widow for two winters in a row. If she weren't such a great woman, her Mustang would probably still not be done. I am taking this winter off the 67. Haven't touched it since last March.

Eric,
I'd just like to add to the already good advice on the epoxy and the cure rates. Make small batches until you get the feel of how much is needed for a given job. If you make a big batch, you may find yourself reaching the end of it's pot life! Also, a large mixing container will spread out the resin more so the heat generated isn't concentrated and it won't "kick" (cure) as fast. I've had a couple get away from me through the years and you end up with a smoking plus hot container of resin!!