Replacing stringers / foam 1980 baja

[Mdsv16]

I recently removed the floor, stringers and foam from my 20ft 1980 Baja. The floor was soft in spots and when I removed it I noticed the stingers were completely rotted. I removed the stringers as well. The fiber glass only covered the bottom half of the stringers. The foam between the stringers was soaked with water. It appears that the foam keeps the water from making it to the back of the boat. Do I need to replace the foam once I replace the stringers or can I leave it out? The foam is only 4 1/2 inches thick at the thickest spot.

[dragonjbynight]

yes, all the foam will have to come out before the stringers can be replaced. If its already waterlogged, it won't do anything but rot out the new stringers you put in. Then once it's out will all have to be cleaned and ground down before you can place in your new stringers.

As far as it goes there are tons of threads on stringer replacement in this forum, one of the better ones in my opinion is at: Ski Boat Stringer/Sole Replacement

[dragonjbynight]

oops, my apologies...i thought your post stated you were going to leave the foam in...sorry. Errr..In my understanding yes the foam should be replaced, but in that I will refer you to some of the other posts i mentioned as there are many more qualifed posts.