Wood in stringers??

crsavage1 · #1 05-06-2019, 08:44 PM

Working on a late 60's Moesly hull 20' and was grinding out a terrible re-fit someone did when I discovered wood in the stringers. It appears as though there is wood in the center stringers and bulkheads that seems to be almost suspended and sandwiched in fiberglass. Problem is, it all appears original but I thought the stringers were hollow, or supposed to be.

Left me with a feeling of only a few possibilities as I try and figure out how to proceed. 1. just open the tops and grind/pull/cut the wet wood out and move on. 2. cut the entire stringers out and replace although that could lead to some twisting in the hull if not properly supported etc or 3. close them up, cover with new glass and move on.

I also was a little concerned that could it mean this is not a SeaCraft? No HIN due to it's age but it has been titled/sold as a SeaCraft.

Anyone had this type of issue before? I downloaded Carl Moesly's patent and just for kicks took some measurements on my hull as compared to the dead rise angles on the patent...they were close but the patent doesn't specify the length of the hull. Not sure if that matters.

Pictures show where I cut the stringer open to have a look and some of the wet wood I pulled out. The stringers are much wider than the wood or the fiberglass sandwich within so it's confusing. I have videos were I explain what I am seeing if that would help.

Bigshrimpin · #2 05-06-2019, 09:04 PM

FYI - The original fabric mosley used was 18oz roving and mat. There was no 1708 biaxial fabric in 1960's, so those stringers were redone at some point and it appears as though you have some aftermarket wood installed

.

The center stringer was cypress.

flyingfrizzle · #3 05-07-2019, 07:37 AM

I do know that member up here SeaCratf84 & Parrott re-done a 60's moesly bowrider hull and he also found wood in the stringer such as you did. It was talked about up here and no one could really figure out why it was in there. This was on a original hull that was never cut on either. Like Big said it could of been added as yours dose look to be redone already before but there is a chance it could be original also. One of those moesly hull only deals. The stingers in them are different than in the 70's models. I will try and link the other hull if I can find it.

Edit: Here is the link: http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...=25831&page=12

Post #27 "Does anyone know why there is a 1"x4" running the inside of the two inside stringers. You can see it in the pic of the stringer above. It has mat on the back to help glue to stringer. Not sure what the real purpose here is????????"

crsavage1 · #4 05-07-2019, 08:45 PM

Interesting comparison to Parrot because this hull apparently started life as a bow rider as well. I didn't think any of the glass on the stringers looked like 1708, I knew the picture I took of the roving was probably original though. It is the suspended glass on the inside and dirtwheelsfl also mentioned the wood was probably to screw the fuel tank to etc. Very strange though that same conversion, bow rider to center console, and wood is present. Same dimensions as well, it is definitely 1X4 and at least in my hull, is soaked through. Thanks for the insight.

Basketcase · #5 05-08-2019, 03:23 PM

This sure looks like 1708 to me.

Bigshrimpin · #6 05-08-2019, 04:45 PM

Original Layup (18oz roving)

1708 (NOT Original) also someone covered the stringer in white/tan gelcoat or bilge paint.

flyingfrizzle · #7 05-09-2019, 07:25 AM

Defiantly looks like someone added some additional 1708 lay ups to the stringers at some point. Owning two 60's moesly built hulls I can say there is wood 1"x4"in both of them. Same dark colored close grain looking wood like in the center keel of the 70's boats. Guessing its some type of fir. Most of it seems to have held up well for wood.

crsavage1 · #8 05-09-2019, 09:54 AM

Oh I wasn't questioning, I am just no good at identifying the different glass types yet. It was all a little confusing, but hearing that others have had similar results is good enough for me. As for the paint, I am not really sure why anyone would do that? I get from a box or bilge perspective maybe, but the entire hull was at some point sprayed and it is chipping pretty badly. I have been working on getting it all out, or at least the loose out. I assume it was just because it was easiest to spray the whole thing rather than individual boxes.

I genuinely appreciate everyones insight.

Bigshrimpin · #9 05-12-2019, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingfrizzle

Defiantly looks like someone added some additional 1708 lay ups to the stringers at some point. Owning two 60's moesly built hulls I can say there is wood 1"x4"in both of them. Same dark colored close grain looking wood like in the center keel of the 70's boats. Guessing its some type of fir. Most of it seems to have held up well for wood.

Mike - any idea what the function of the 1" x4" serves?

flyingfrizzle · #10 05-13-2019, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigshrimpin

Mike - any idea what the function of the 1" x4" serves?

I talked to Donnie "Parrott" about it some time ago (had a chance to meet him and sold him some of the VE resin I had left from my project) When I seen the boat in person it was after the deck was put in so I never got to see the lay out of the stringer lay out and the exact location of the wood in it. What I remember from our conversation he said where it was located it was difficult to see an actual use of the strips. At first I thought it may be for screwing the tank brackets into but he didn't see no sign of screw holes or such. It was in such an odd place and did not really providing any support to anything from what he said. It may of been to help aid in laying up the stringers in the mold maaybe? It could of been used to kept the lay up flat and possibly backed the layers so that clamps could sandwich wet cloth between the ply wood strips and the outside surface of the mold? This would work clamping the glass to the mold surface evenly pressing air and extra resin out of the cloth maybe? Really not sure but it looked to be used in aiding the molding process when building the stringer grid prior to placing in the boat. Don't think he was ever able to find a purpose to it and that above would be my best guess.

The same size 1x4s were used to shape the cap of the race hull. Most were cut out when I was changed to a cc in 1990 but you can still see the original wood pieces down under the bow and gunnels. They are fuzzy on the outside from weather but still solid in the center. Very dense hard wood. The ones that were glassed or had cloth and resin on them are still solid for the most part. It has original wood stingers that were raised by adding ply beside the old ones that were higher. The lower original ones are fully glassed and when you knock on them they are super solid. More so than the newer taller ones. Not sure what wood they used in the 60s era hulls but it was tough stuff.