bay boat in trouble

Thank you both for the input, with limited knowledge and obviously a poorly designed stringer system by Sea Pro I have been looking at every option available. I have been speaking to the people at preforms, I showed them the same pictures as were posted and they recommend a complete stringer replacement about $450.00 in materials not including epoxy. IS this overkill in your opinion? With the design flaws in the stringer how would you relayout the wings, bulkheads, stringers or can you tell me where to get info.

 

Well, the usual suggestion is to cut out the "cancer" and make it right. You might be able to "live" with some areas, but for the most part, if one area sucks, you can pretty much guarantee the rest of the boat is built in a similar fashion, which forces the decision on you.

It's very difficult to estimate material pricing, without the boat in front of you, but the material cost shouldn't be especially costly. It's the skilled labor that will kill you. Nothing is "over kill" when it comes to stringers and sole underpinnings in a powerboat. They take huge slamming loads and live in a place ripe for issues. This is why a driveway repair can be so much more effective at stopping these problems. You can make sure you've done it right and that everything is sealed. You don't have to worry if the second shift will notice that you didn't finish up the tabbing (or what ever), before they close up the bilge.

On this site (and others) there are many previous threads about sole replacement, stringer replacement, using epoxy, laying 'glass fabrics, etc. Over at www.Bateau.com there are a few videos showing proper techniques as well as YouTube. Buy your materials though Bateau.com, they're in Vero beach and their epoxy rivals the major brands, except at half the price.

Do your research, maybe even a practice panel with a few fillets and tabbing, coating, etc. This will familiarize you with the methods, materials and techniques, before you "cook off" a pot of goo in the boat.

 

Thank you