Rotten Stringers (Tournament Ski Boat)

[pattyp56]

SUCCESS!!! I made the trip to Knoxville again this weekend, and my father and I reset the motor, hooked everything up and went for a spin. The boat is much stiffer now and handles better. The steady pull to the left is gone. I still have a lot of fit and finish to do in the boat. I will put down the new carpet this weekend. I will finish a couple of electrical upgrades and reinstall the interior as well.

Thanks to everyone who had helpful comments on this project. The quote I got from a local repair shop was $3200. I spent about $275 in parts, $110 in new trailer tires( needed them anyway) and $250 in gas for the 700 mile round trip twice. I know the job was done well and I feel like I have a new boat. Fiberglass is itchy, but well worth the hassel.

[gbaaron]

Great to hear your back on the water. I wish I could say the same, still working on mine. I was wondering what materials you used, polyester or epoxy resin. I've never used epoxy only polyester. Everyone keeps telling me epoxy works so much better. If epoxy was used, any problems?

[pattyp56]

We used Douglas Fir for the stringer material and standard polyester resin and cloth. Unfortunately my dad did the fiberglass work while I wasn't there. My boat is fixed, but I am not much more self-sufficent than when I started. I have heard you have more time to work with epoxy, but whats done is done. I figure if the boat survived the first 18-20 years with the crapy job they did at the factory, it should last at least that long again with the job we did. We coated the new stringers in resin before installing them, and used a healthy dose of silicon everywhere we had to drill a hole.

[brianaw26]

do you have anymore pictures of this. I have to do the exact thing on my 81 MC s&s... Even with the quality, the stuff goes bad over time....

[pattyp56]

I have a few more pictures, but they are all hard copies. I will scan them in and post them if we can get the scanner working again. We got a new computer this weekend and the old scanner doesn't have the right drivers to run on Windows XP. Waiting on an email from Epson Tech support.

Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!

[brianaw26]

That would help tremendously... thanks

[Sea Zar]

I dont envy any of you as I have had to do the same thing if not worse as my hull ended up with fractures everywhere due to rotten stringers. I bought the boat in this condition without knowing any of this or about boat building.But its amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.
Couple of pics for you all.
Cheers

[sperry]

pattyp56, do you have the contact information for the shop in knoxville? i am looking at a similar project on my '84 and i'm trying to get as many estimates/information as possible.

nice job on your '85 btw.

[pattyp56]

Sperry, are you in the east Tennessee area? The best place I know to get a repair estimate in Knoxville is Travis Marine (865)690-6700. They have a guy in the shop that usually does work like this on the side, so you can get a quote through Travis Marine or try to go to him directly.

There are a lot of boat builders in the area (SeaRay, MasterCraft, Supra, Cobalt, AllisonCraft, etc. I would bet there are a few folks that do this work in the Vonore, TN area.

Hope this helps.

[sperry]

I am actually in SW Virginia - Radford. It would be a drive, but I don't mind if I can have good work done. I don't mind having someone do it on the 'side'. Especially if they come recommended.

[pattyp56]

Give them a call, unfortunately I can't remember the guy's name but he will be the one they let you talk to.

[sperry]

I will. Thanks.

One more thing, have you run across any companies that offer replacement parts specific to the older supremes? I am looking for things like teak replacements, instrument panel, speedometers, etc...

[SABoater]

Pattyp56. Before you replaced the stringers, did you notice if the boat was porpoising, as mine porpoises and the stringers look very suspect. 2 of the four have bolts that you can not tigten. I have temporarily filled them with an epoxy but will have to do your repair in the comming winter. What size of timber did you use and did it need any shaping prior to installing. How far back did you do - all the way to the transom or just beyond the gearbox mount?