original factory stringer question

[RRoyer]

I just bought a 73 222. I have inspected the stringers and not found any soft spots. My main question is what are the stringers made of. I only see foam and fiberglass at this point. Can someone give me a brief education on what to look for and or major issures for concern.

[bumpster]

Fiberglass encapsulated foam stringers! They were WAYYYYYYYY ahead of their time and extremely strong.
Make sure they are intact and that the foam is dry.

[Capt Matt]

Dig deep, the foam is always wet and migrates forward

[222 ccp dgraf]

Best to cut the tops off the stringers and replace all the foam..trust me you will hate yourself later if you don't. The biggest issue with the stringers (other then wet foam) is the tabbing between the stringer and the hull would break. If your into it allready Its a no brainer to replace all the foam and check it out. Do it right and it will be the last boat you and your kids will ever own!! Todays foam is light years better then the old stuff it will not hold the water like a sponge which is really all the old foam was. It all depends on how much you like the boat, around here we love our Aqua's :bounce:

[RRoyer]

thanks for the lesson...  My current plan is to remove and refoam the stringers... anyone have an recommendation on density of foam? I am currently looking at 8 pound density now. Has anyone refilled there current stringers and how many gallons of foam did it take?

[dbiscayne]

I don't think they used 8 lb from the factory, feels more like 2 lb or 4 lb foam at the most.
My 19 foot boat, with a stringer along each outside edge & 2 more running running up the boat just off center, and the bulkheads should take about 26 cubic feet = 195 gallons.  I don't have a stringer in the center.

[LilRichard]

Yup, 8lb would be way overkill and cost you a lot more.