1991 wood stringer2?

[twofootitis]

91 V20 CC, did it have wood stringers? bilge looks clean and was wondering if the stringers were wood encapsulated or fiberglass/foam. How prone to rot are the stingers in that age Wellcraft?

[RWilson2526]

Honestly say I'm not sure....sure somebody will be along shortly who knows first hand...can say for sure my 86 has wood in it and i thought I read once that they were all made with wood but cant be sure. As far as a 91 being more prone than others all I can say is that is you got alot of guys riding around in alot of boats older than 91 so at a minimum time is on your side.

Welcome aboard by the way.

[macojoe]

All wood glassed over, depending how it was kept the rear stringers were attached to transom rot out. Goes in hand with transom rot in most cases.
not sure any one here has done anything in the 90's?

[willy]

Wood glassed over as has been said. But I have owned two V20's, neither of them had any rot in the stringers or transom. One was a 1986 the other was a 1992. The 92 is a better lay out drain wise etc than the 80's versions up till I believe 89(possibly 88).
I have inspected over a dozen easily, very closely and only one had bad stringers and it was painfully visible why. Water pocketed up between them with drain holes clogged and poorly working bilge pumps. Also poorly or unsealed screws and holes in the transom, especially below the water line.
If two boats are cared for properly and in good condition obviously the newer the better.

[twofootitis]

The boat I'am looking at looks garage kept. the bilges still look "new". the only bad thing so far is the panel over the fuel tank, its soft but the deck all around it if not. This is the center console version

[willy]

TwoFooter, that is common, and it seems the newer boats like late model V20's and the V21's had this happen to them prematurely. I believe it is due to Wellcrafts construction of them. It is a job many have done on this site and it is also common on many other models of boats.
Usually once it is done you are solid forever with them since it is done better than the factory did them.
Also you may find when you lift the panel that the support for it is soft and flexey which is what is causing it.
On many of the V's when you lift the panel over the gas tank especially you will find that it is supported by a bare wood 2x4 across the center section. Obviously as moisture in the air softens this and the unsealed wood squares which are what is underneath the fiberglass you are standing on get wet with just humidity alone they flex. The more flexing the easier it becomes.
It really is not that bad of a fix to do from a few here that have done it. Just remember to seal the wood squares underneath with some type of finish, as that is what the original problem was, Wellcraft cutting corners and not sealing it at the time of construction.

[twofootitis]

Looks like the nice v20 i was looking at sold. I'll keep looking. Good to be here.