stringer replacement

[Jason L]

Hi all, I have a 1979 O 28. the stringers running side to side under the bilge cover have become soft and need to be replaced. I havent been able to get a really good look at them but it looks like they are plywood fiberglassed in place as a sort of baffle to keep bilge water from sloshing around and to support the floor covering. Does anyone know of any concerns I should be looking at. I dont believe there is any structural component affecting the keel to hull area. It looks like I can just cut them out with my dremel tool and reglass new pieces in place. Any comments before I cut them out. Thanks all this site has been a great resource.

 

[Ed]

Replacing Stringers

The same work was done on my fin keel oday25. The floor was cut about along the outer edge of the non skid area and lifted out to get clear access. The boat was on the hard when the work was done. The sole plate isn't very wide, so the floor needed to be removed for access required to grind, fit and relaminate the replacement crossmembers. The new crossmembers are made from pvc foam cored board, cut to fit and tabbed. They do serve to stiffen the keel/hull transition. It wasn't too bad as jobs go, but the boat had been stripped to the plastic prior to the work.