Stringer Inspection Video

Hey guys, I threw this video together today as I had the floor up replacing the fuel line before I head down to the River Run and was able to bring home a training aid to help demonstrate. Seeing as how there have been allot of new members interested in purchasing an older boat here lately and not sure what to look for I thought this might be a great how to video to explain what you are looking and listening for. Let me know what you think.

Boat Stringer Inspection

Great Info----The MoFoot

Yes look at it again

Good video Tim,
We've got tap out coins, itty-bity hammers,sonic testers ect...
but I still like my illegal pocket knife best.

Are you going to make it to White Lake this year ?

Awsome video Mr Moroot.The video was in detail to stringers and what to look for. Thank you..

Great video Tim! Sounds like your stringers are A.O.K.! See you in a few days.

Very nice sir!

Excellent video - thank from one of the newbie's asking all the questions.   Anyone know if the floor of the Martinique lifts out and provides the same access to the stringers?   I as assuming you just had to check what you could access under the engine cover.

Tim,
Excellent vid! Thanks for the great addition.

Tim D wrote: The aluminum cradle that Tim B mentioned, don't the horizontal bolts go into the stringer?

Not all cradles have horizontal lags... though most seem to have been drilled to accomodate them. My '90 only had vertical lags installed.

Tim and any others,

Can a disbond occur w/out water infiltration? And if so what would cause that?

MAN - GA wrote: Can a disbond occur w/out water infiltration? And if so what would cause that?

Mark, Yes a disbond can occur without water intrusion. The panel that I used to demonstrate what you are listening for was scrapped because of the large area of disbond and we can not fix it. It was caused by excessive heat from the engine that caused the glue to fail therefore causing the fiberglass portion to disbond from the honey core. There is no fix and calls for total replacement which we manufacture in house in our dept.

Disbonds can be caused by several things, Moisture trapped between the glass and wood causing the epoxy to break down. Resin wasn't mixed properly and eventually failed (highly unlikely in boats), Excessive heat breaking down the resin, Stress forces exceeding on the area more than what the resin can withstand. Blunt trauma to a concentrated area causing stress. (like a 15 lb anchor slipping out of your hand), Slightest bit of water gets in and freezes causing the disbond.

That's all I can think of but I think you get the point. Bottom line is I think the the main reason stringer rot occurs is water intrusion. Boats left out in the elements uncovered is just bad all around. Water will find a way in there eventually so do what you can to prevent it.
I do realize "It's a Boat" and it's supposed to get wet but dry it out as best you can at the end of the day.


Steve,
Good points on both. The cracks at the top of a stringer with a web connecting the left and right primary stringers is a good place to loof and if you have them they should be sealed up with epoxy to prevent water intrusion. In the video I had the ratchet and demonstrated using it to tap test so that you can use it or a light hammer and tap test as far up under the floor as your arm can reach. Good points and those who've done stringer jobs can verify the condition of the stringers towards the bow. Thanks for pointing that out.

Great video and helpful information. Looking to purchase an older boat and will definitely be doing this test!

Thanks!

That is an excellent video. I will be checking my boat out again tomorrow. Thank you!

Found this nice old video. I’m new to a 1985 SN and boating. A retired old guy now.

Stringers run fore an aft. Just forward of the muffler trench is a beam that runs port and starboard.

During my end of season prep I was spraying gunk out of the bilge. I noted pooled water at this joint, found clogged drain holes and cleared them. The trench now drains.

Well, while spraying some white paint exposy popped off the cross beam and exposed wet rotted wood.

Is this an important brace?

This weekend I’ll be back with the boat and will do the video knock inspection on all the wood and see what is up.

I’m not clear as to the extent of the rot and I have no clue as to the repair process, if needed.

Any updated comments on this old topic?

That guy hasn't aged a day in almost a decade.