Rotting stringers

[sailacycle]

I have one of my stringers in my bilge rotted one third of the way in from the side of my hull. This is a full stringer and lays inside the fore to aft stringer. I don't know how to replace it and we have zero quality yards here. This holds up my galley floor and cabinets. I was thinking of cutting it at an inboard angle and bedding a new piece in but I'm not sure it will be strong enough to support the load. Any suggestions?

[roverhi]

Can you just laminate over the piece?? If you could do that and not cause level problems with the overlying structure would probably work.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Pics of problem, boat type, type of materials used to construct her, availabiity & type of resources in your area? All are things which would aid us greatly in properly assisting you.

[Waterrat10]

Take a look at page 10. Section 3.3
http://www.westsystem.com/wp-content...anual-2015.pdf

Lots of great info besides the Stringer repair guidelines.

[sailacycle]

So correction it's a rib not a stringer. It's a large 1974 sailboat with a fiberglass hull. Both stringer and ribs are made of balsa. I don't think it's a good idea to glass over rotten wood. The ribs rest on the sides of the hull and arch up to hold up the floor. I will try again to upload a pic maybe since I'm new it won't let me.

[sailacycle]

Got it
I don't know why it attached upside down.

[sailacycle]

[Three Sisters]

Originally Posted by sailacycle

So correction it's a rib not a stringer. It's a large 1974 sailboat with a fiberglass hull. Both stringer and ribs are made of balsa. I don't think it's a good idea to glass over rotten wood. The ribs rest on the sides of the hull and arch up to hold up the floor. I will try again to upload a pic maybe since I'm new it won't let me.

The ribs hold up the floor ?

The floors are what usually hold up the sole. Cockpit sole. Cabin sole.

The "floors" are supporting framework. Is that what we are discussing ?

[UNCIVILIZED]

I'd strongly wager that that's not balsa. As rarely, if ever, is balsa left exposed on a boat. It's either glassed over to make stiffening ribs, or ring frames, or is used as hull & deck cores.

And I too am unclear as to what exactly it is that you're tryng to repair.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard sailacycle.

[Pete7]

When you say there are "zero quality yards here" were about in the world are you?

So to repair, dismantle all the galley cabinets above the floor, remove and replace the sole and floors with new timber in accordance with the west system guides. The repair should be achievable by someone with reasonable carpentry skills.

However, you must find the leak in the galley that caused the problem in the first place because it looks like its been happening for a while.

Pete

[barnakiel]

Yep. Remove the sole. Remove the bad piece. Glue / laminate in a new piece and use quality wood or quality plywood/epoxy. A good cabinetmaker will do this for you sure and well. And any skilled carpenter too.

It looks simple fix. Most importantly find the leak and stop it.

It is not balsa. Balsa is not used to carry load nor resistant to any amount of water.

Cheers,
b.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by sailacycle

...It's a large 1974 sailboat with a fiberglass hull...

Why so vague?

[Cheechako]

If I'm seeing that properly, it's the supports for the cabin sole. Appears to be rotted for sure and may be luan or faux mahogany from what I can see. It's very hard to understand well enough to give you options, but one thing to think about is to "sister" another wood beam to the existing one for support. I would try to cut the black rotted part out first if you can. (sawzall?) A proper fix, as mentioned, requires removing the sole and rebuilding the support structure, dry it out well and treat the wood with something that stops rot from occurring.
Terminology: Most fiberglass boats do not have ribs. Some have a couple stringers, which run along the hull to stiffen it.. I think you are dealing with "floors" or floor supports.

[JPA Cate]

Hi, sailacycle,

If you put some information in your profile about your boat, and give the members a general idea of where you are located, they will be better able to tell you about local resources.

Similarly, if you can get a few more pictures of the rotten area in your boat, we will be able to give you better repair information. The freer you are with detail about the boat, the easier it is for those who wish to help you.

Ann
aka JPA Cate, moderator