Attaching Stringers to Hull

[Rick D]

I want to add fir battens to my hull sides. I have read that I should adhere stringers to the hull sides and then attach the battens. I am worried about potential rot in the stringers. Can I seal them with epoxy? Where can I find instructions? What do you suggest I use to adhere the stringers to the hull?

 

[Bruce Niederer, West System]

Yes, you should seal the stringers before installing with 2-3 coats of epoxy. Once cured, sand the side to be bonded to the hull, sand the hull where they will be installed. Mix some epoxy and brush some unfilled onto the hull sanded hull side. Thicken the remaining with 406 colloidal silica to a mayonnaise consistency, brush this paste onto the stringers, and secure the srtingers in place until the epoxy cures. You may be able to use screws to temporarily hold the stringers against the hull, then fill the screw holes once they are removed. Be sure not to tighten the stringers too tightly and squeeze out all the epoxy.

 

[joe mcginty]

And on a V222 hull liner...

My '79 V222 has a hull liner - its probably fiberglass, but I don't know for sure. Would this same method apply to attaching stringers to my hull liner? And what is that liner probably made of? Thx.

 

[John Dawson]

V-222 hull liner

Yes, its fiberglass much like your hull. But where would you want to give up several inches in space to install stringers and battens in that boat?

 

[ex-admin]

Installing fir battens

Yes, you should seal the stringers before installing with 2-3 coats of epoxy. Once cured, sand the side to be bonded to the hull, sand the hull where they will be installed. Mix some epoxy and brush some unfilled onto the hull sanded hull side. Thicken the remaining with 406 colloidal silica to a mayonnaise consistency, brush this paste onto the stringers, and secure the srtingers in place until the epoxy cures. You may be able to use screws to temporarily hold the stringers against the hull, then fill the screw holes once they are removed. Be sure not to tighten the stringers too tightly and squeeze out all the epoxy.

 

[Steve Dion]

Why epoxy?

Rick:I have NOT done this but wonder why you could not make the stringers and just coat them with resin when you attach them to the hull?I would think that using resin to attach them and coat them would be idea?I would think that you would also add some insulation between the stingers before you attach your battens. I was going to attach my battens with S.S. brads in a brad nailer too. I would like to hear someones opinion about this because I was thinking about doing the exact same thing.