Stringer wood

Blu_Lunch · #1 05-21-2011, 07:30 PM

Today I went to West Marine and bought all the materials from my V-17 to replace the stringers and deck I am going to start laying glass next weekend. What type of wood should I use for the stringers, I need to replace the entire center stringer and about 5 feet of the side stringers. The old stringers look like pine kid you not.

Blu_Lunch · #2 05-23-2011, 07:37 PM

All the gurus here and nobody can give any advise?

bassarama · #3 05-23-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu_Lunch

All the gurus here and nobody can give any advise?

I'm not one of those experts by no means...

I would pick a wood with small and tight grain like ipe/mahogany.

nipper · #4 05-23-2011, 09:14 PM

Not an expert by any means either, but when I did some stringer and floor work on my old 1972 Speedliner 17' boat I used 3/4" marine plywood. It was hard to find in my area of the country, and expensive.

RidgeRunner · #5 05-24-2011, 07:13 AM

I think Wellcraft used plywood for the stringers. I would use. 3/4" Marine Tech PT but Kiln Dried After Treatment or even untreated. You can use 3/4" BC FIR as a cheaper alternative. I would stay away from the tropical hardwoods like ipe and mahogony unless you are building a very nice wood deck. They are strong but cost prohibitive and I believe a little too stiff for a backbone in a fiberglass boat. Besides if it has a center stringer, you will need a piece that is at least 12" wide. That may be a tall order ($$$) in the hardwoods. Then there are composites. More money. If you need longer than an 8' run you make a nice scarf joint in the plywood and reinforce with glass.
What glass did you buy? and what is your layup schedule?

Skools Out · #6 05-24-2011, 07:19 AM

3/4 plywood and on the top add 2x2 to one side of your stringers to add a place to screw down your new floor.

Blu_Lunch · #7 05-24-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

I think Wellcraft used plywood for the stringers. I would use. 3/4" Marine Tech PT but Kiln Dried After Treatment or even untreated. You can use 3/4" BC FIR as a cheaper alternative. I would stay away from the tropical hardwoods like ipe and mahogony unless you are building a very nice wood deck. They are strong but cost prohibitive and I believe a little too stiff for a backbone in a fiberglass boat. Besides if it has a center stringer, you will need a piece that is at least 12" wide. That may be a tall order ($$$) in the hardwoods. Then there are composites. More money. If you need longer than an 8' run you make a nice scarf joint in the plywood and reinforce with glass.
What glass did you buy? and what is your layup schedule?

I bought West Systems 105 and 206 the stringer was just plain lumber I swear it is pine it was really cheap wood the deck was 4 by 4 plywood squares.