wet stringer spot repair

Hutchy

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Hello all,

Was poking around my new to me 1993 seafarer. On the main stringer, about the middle of the front compartment even with the helm seats is about a dinner plate or slightly larger wet spot. Actually, one on both sides. Sounding with a hammer, and visually you can notice a different sound and a darker patch under the glass. I dont think it is bad enough to need a coplete replacement as the wood just seems wet, not rotten, but I will have to get into it to see.

My thoughts at this point are to pull it out for winter, drill a bunch of holes through the inside layer of glass, through the wood to the other side. Then, once enough holes are in it put a small heater in the cavity for most of the fall and spring and let it dry out. (no point mid winter as it is well below freezing all year and a waste of electricity) Then, once things are dried out, inject epoxy into the holes starting at the bottom till things are stiffened up and glass over the holes.

Seem like a plan?

Also, I am assuming I will find a leak, or somewhere water is getting into the stringer and can fix that at the same time. Based on the fact they are near symetrical issues, it should be an easy to find problem. I hope the leak is on the open side, not the other side of the bulkhead because I am not into cutting apart the floor, although my father did glasswork for twenty years and is willing to assist.

The bulkhead at the cabin seemed a bit funny sounding as well, but I will know more when I take the floor panel out. Let me know what you think of that plan.
 

Fishtales

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I'd be concerned that water has made it further than you think. Once water has a path in wood, it will run through it. If the wood is a different color, it is likely really wet and rotten, so I think you should take action and find out what the real damage is and what you have to do. Once you get over having to get into the issue, you'll just have to work it, remove the affected material and fix her up.
 

Hutchy

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And that's always a possibility, that it is worse than expected. I'll start by drilling some holes and see how widespread it really is. If it's bigger than expected, then larger fix could certainly be required. I re did A bass boat years ago. Split it and lifted the liner off of the hull. All new stringers, bulkheads, new transom, tank and glassed it all back together. I am not scared by glasswork, it just sucks!

Hoping a smaller fix is all that is needed but time will tell.