stringer repair

eagerbeaver · #1 12-13-2015, 03:27 PM

Hello, I am new to this site. I have recently become a boating enthusiast and purchased a 1982 wellcraft. Then I discovered it had a rotten transom(which I have now repaired with a poured composite), rotten stringers and bulkheads. I would like to repair these also while I have everything broke down to this point. Does anyone know how difficult it would be to separate the top hull from the bottom hull?? If I CAN separate them, could 5 or 6 guys lift the top hull?? As I have no pulley, chainhoist, or even any type of overhead means of mechanically lifting it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

steplift20 · #2 12-13-2015, 03:51 PM

Wow that's out of my league but you have a great boat it's like a old classic car a labor of love, I'm sure some one will get back to you cause I've seen them do just what you are asking about Good to see new members

eagerbeaver · #3 12-13-2015, 06:13 PM

Thank you for the encouragement Steplift20.

SkunkBoat · #4 12-13-2015, 06:30 PM

I just did my transom. I am putting off doing a cap-off restore for another year.(I need to go fishing next year)

It will come off. Lots of screws under rub rail and deck is "glued" to stringers. If your 82 is like my 84 most of the glue is broken free already.

There are threads on this site with cap-off restorations. If you did a transom then there is no reason to fear doing a cap off. You just need the TIME and Space.

Are you going to pour the stringers? I think I am going that route since the transom worked out great. Then fix any deck spots and paint the whole boat.

Is the 82 a self bailing deck? Not sure when they raised it. The 84 is self-bailing.

I look forward to pix of your project.

eagerbeaver · #5 12-13-2015, 07:16 PM

Hey skunkboat,
No I probably will not be pouring my stringers like I did the transom, because the epoxy is SOOO expensive - I had found a STEAL of a deal for some great epoxy on our local CL posting. So unless I find another great deal on some more epoxy, I'll probably just have to go back with either wood or a composite board for the stringers. And yes, I guess the 82 is a "self-bailing deck"(??). The deck water drains out thru 2 "weep holes" in the transom. Which (I'm certain)is what eventually rotted out my transom.

Starzofchaos · #6 12-24-2015, 11:56 AM

I had a cap off restoration done on my 1990 18' Wellcraft Fish. The reason my Transom rotted out was due to a poor final finish at the factory. It is where the transom meets the sides of the boat. The glass work didnt cover the whole splice. Then they shot flotation foam over the area to hide the poor workman ship. The old guy that did the transom, told me that everything that goes through it must be wet installed with 5200. Then every few years or so, remove them and install them back with new sealant. The stringers where a lot easier to do... Just cut the fiberglass caps off the tops. Remove the rotten wood, repair the fiberglass as required. Then put in new wood and glass over. I wanted Arjay to repair the stringers... He quoted me way too much to do it... I guess he was going to order 55gal of the stuff and charge me for all of it. For the DIY guy it would be a whole lot easier to pour in new stringers v.s. the wood approach.