1985 196 deck rebuild

[dougals toy]

Now that I made it to the right forum..I see that alot of my original questions have already been addressed...thanks
Are there any specs/pics of original 1985 196's/

[RickK]

If you look in this area of the gallery you will see that we have info on '84 and then '86. You'll see that the '84 had a 196 and then in '86 the 200 was born (note that the length was still 196 though) http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=567

[dougals toy]

Thanks..nice pics... I think im continuing with the previous owners start on the rebuild, took a skill saw cutout and left 11/2 lip  , I'll put the new deck on top of the lip, when I build up the stringers should i consider camber? Any thoughts?...Thanks

[RickK]

If you're talking about a little crown in the floor, you can make the stringers slightly higher so the water sheds to the side if you desire.  I didn't bother with this on my rebuild.

[dougals toy]

 yeah, I didnt know if it would be beneficial or not....So generally there is no foam in the center of the hull? or aft? (accomodate engine weight?) These are probably dumb questions, I have 0 experience with this and need all the guidance I can get...thanks

[RickK]

The benefit of the crown is to help guide the water off the deck to the sides - it's your choice.
The general location of foam in these hulls is outboard of the stringers and inside the stringers.  If the hull is one of the early models you might find foam in the center forward also because the fuel tanks were above deck inside the console.  If you haven't already done so, spend an hour or so looking through the rebuilds in this forum and the other forums that have some 80s model rebuilds.

[CLM65]

Foam inside the hull does not provide any buoyancy as long as the boat is not sinking.  In fact, a foamed hull will sit lower than a non-foamed hull due to the additional weight of the foam.  This is because buoyancy comes from displacing water, and since the foam is in the inside of the hull, it doesn't displace any additional water.  Many people add foam under the entire deck so that the boat will not sink.  Many do not.

As far as a crown in the deck, I am doing it like Rick did - flat deck.  Many others have put a slight crown in the center (maybe a 1/4").  The important thing is that there isn't a low spot in the center for water to collect in. 

[dougals toy]

Ok, great info..is there an easy way to determine water logged stringers, mine look fine, no obvious signs, no holes, no delamination, outside of drilling a couple holes in the bottom of the stringer, I hate to cut open the top if they are good....

[CLM65]

I would think that if you know what the boat and everything on it is supposed to weigh, you can take it to a weigh station or dump and find out what it actually weighs.  Otherwise, I'm not sure if there is some sort of moisture meter that will work.  I think the most common approach is to drill a hole low in the stringers in the bilge area and see what comes out.  And then glass over the holes.

[gman 82 aquasport]

To check for water logged stringers, take a 1 inch hole saw and drill a 1 inch hole at the inside stern part of the stringer as far down to the hull bottom as possible. Save the hole cutout to reglass back in the hole when done. let it sit for a day or two with the bow as high as possible to let any water run to the back, check daily, and if no water showing after a few days you should be good to go, just glass the cutout back and proceed. As far as the crown on the floor my rebuilt 19-6(1982) has none and drains well. a little tilt when parked lets it all drain out the scuppers ( which were raised some) while under way a little throttle will let any water on the floor run to the back anyway.

[dougals toy]

Thanks again for the info...Did all newer( 1985) 196's have a bow rail?

[gman 82 aquasport]

My 1982 19-6 has one (I did modify it some)

[RickK]

I think it was an option.

[dougals toy]

Thanks..removed the gas tank yesterday, it was original, with a new deck going in not sure how to place/attach it. Any ideas, pics or suggs?....

[gman 82 aquasport]

Are you asking how to attach the deck or the tank?