new to me flatback need advice

[giodesousa93]

Hey everybody, ive been lurking here since Nov 2020 reading and reading... and now that its getting nice outside i started working on my new to me 71 flat back 22-2..

i cut the floor out and am down to the stringers..

i want to modify the center stringer and add in below deck fuel tank  maybe 30-50 gallons.. im going to use this in the North east for striped bass and blue fish fishing   

if i cut the center stringer in the middl of it and cross membered to box in a gas tank will this be safe?

added my pictures into my gallery

[RickK]

Here is a link to your gallery https://classicaquasport.com/gallery/member.php?uid=134794&username=giodesousa93





Is your plan to leave the front bulkhead and ct the stringer out behind it? The first thing you want to check is to make sure the stringer insert is bonded well to the hull. You can see the insert in between the stringers. Also make sure the stringers have no cracks and are not loose at the bottom. It looks good in the 2nd pic but a good pressure wash of the areas will show the condition.
If everything shows to be good, then yes you can cut out a portion or all of the center stringer as long as you add another bulkhead aft of the tank. If you plan on using a poly tank you must allow enough room for the tank to expand 1-2% in all directions.