Last 3' of small center stringer

[Lenny]

Can I remove the last 3' of the small center stringer on my 1969 superfish 20? It will clean up the bilge and free up some space for bilge pumps and such. I was thinking I could build up this area with a few layers of 1808 for strength if needed.

[1970]

Im not sure on this but i think the boats that have that center stringer its not structural from what i have heard

[eggsuckindog]

Alotta work for pumps - I just put one on either side

[Lenny]

I have already removed the last 3' as I did not like the attempt at a scarf joint someone made. It is all cleaned up so unless I find it is structural I will leave it out :-)

[Wildman]

You are betteroff leaving it in there, My mako sank when the center stringer rotted and allowed the hull to flex. The way to get the water on BOTH sides of the center stringer is to make a triangle cut where the transom, keel stringer, and lowest point of the hull meet. Just knock the corner off the 2x4 keel stringer. This way you still have a good sized 'knee' up on the transom and no loss of strength along the bottom.

[Lenny]

I read somewhere the center stringer was for trailer support as the older trailers carried the lions share of the weight in the center. The later model Sea Crafts I believe have a half round piece of PVC in the center though the other stringers are much larger in width than my 69

[Wildman]

Yea,I have heard that too, I dont believe a word of it. I have (now, afterwards) seen too many makos crack the same way mine did because of the keel stringer flexing. Too much of a risk for me to take to trust a piece of sched 40 PVC.

[jorgeinmiami]

My 79 MA has a 3-4 inch 1/2 pvc pipe that ends about 10 inches from the transom and it's right in the center of the hull. I can't imagine it provides that much structual support