Stringer Rebuild-Introduction

I posted on here beginning of the week asking about adjusting the rudder. Seems I have bigger problems.

First a little history: My Dad bought this 1987 Ski Nautique new, when I was 13.Had a lot of fun with it, did a lot of skiing. Unfortunately my dad died in 1995, but my mom kept the boat. Last year she finally decided to move away from the lake. So I took the opportunity to buy the boat from her. The boat only has 496 hours. It was always stored inside during the winter, but over the summer it was on a lift with a cover.



As you can see the boat still looks pretty good, and it runs great. But I had no idea about stringers or issues with them. I new the floor behind the drivers seat had a soft spot but hadn't thought much of it until I started reading about the stringers on here. I was hoping to get another couple years out of it before I would have to attempt the stringer repair.

Well we took the boat out for a quick ride last night, right before we were heading in, I hit a couple big waves. And it just didn't feel, sound right. So I found a couple loose spots in the carpet and this is what I found.

Crack in the floor, you cant see it well but the floor actually has a small hump in it.


Floor starting to separate from sidewall.


Also have cracks in the gelcoat.



So it looks like I have to do a stringer repair. I have already looked at some of the stringer repair posts on here and it looks pretty complicated and expensive. I might have to let the boat sit for a while until I can get it done. I have a new business starting and we are having another baby due in September, and just don't have the funds right now or time for such a big project. And honestly I am not looking forward to figuring out how to work with fiberglass and epoxies!

Can somebody give me a cost estimate? It seems to vary a lot, and is there anywhere that they do this repair in case I don't want to tackle it? I would still strip the boat, just might want someone else to replace the stringers. And would need someone to fix the gelcoat.

Also, I have read some about the debates on how to repair. Foam vs, no foam etc. I like the thought of the foam for sound deadening etc, but I don't want to have to replace stringers again. Are there other options, is there a better foam that won't hold the water?

Sorry about the long post!

lewy2001 wrote: The 87 SN2001 always seems to be the worst year for gel coat cracking. I feel it is caused by the floor separation from the hull sides that leads to flexing and subsequent cracking of the gelcoat.

I didn't know that. Will the cracking affect anything. OR is it purely cosmetic?

A full floor and stringer job will be 4-5k .

Never heard of anyone being happy with the workmanship when contracting out. There must have been someone but have not heard from them

FF24 wrote: Is premium #2 Douglas fir good enough for this application? Surprisingly they have that at a local Home depot here. its non treated and kiln dried. A 2x12 by 16Ft. is only $19.93. Also is that size wide enough? Thanks!

You had better check real close since I doubt it's Doug Fir. I'd say it's Hemlock Fir. If it's marled SPF, then it's NOT Doug.

OldSchoolBlue84 wrote: FF24 wrote: I live in Northwest Indiana Where abouts? I live in Valpo. If you like, I don't mind stopping by and check it out. Also, where do you boat at? Have a good one.

Pretty close to you actually. I live about 2 miles from Bass Lake. Just outside of Knox. That's where we do most of our boating.

FF24 wrote: Pretty close to you actually. I live about 2 miles from Bass Lake. Just outside of Knox. That's where we do most of our boating.

That's a nice place, I looked there but was told its a shallow lake. I have a slip at Culver Marina, Lake Max. We should meet up one day. Have a good one

We commute to lake max about 3-4 times a week. I have a 5 and 3 year olds and ask all the time to be at the lake. Yes, they already know how to water ski, the board at least, which is an awesome feeling since I did not learn till I was 20. Will be there around 1 tomorrow, if you have no plans, come on by and look for the blue 84.

Wait a minute you have two in college a 5yr old a 1-1/2 yr old and one in the hopper!!!!
DUDE YOU NEED TO WRAP THAT RASCLE!!!