Access to Stringers

[swampy68]

Hey Folks.. New to the list.. just purchased a 1985 170.. The boat seems to be in good shape.. Deck, and transom is solid.. fuel tank and electrics are new.. Looking in the observation port near the transom, stringer is wet but tabbing is still solid ,, foam is wet.. Question: Is this the only stringer that I can access without removing parts of the deck? If there is water in the compartment (with the foam) Is there anyway to remove it? Boat has been repowered with a Suzuki 70hp 4 stroke so like others, skuppers are in the water..

Swampy
1985 170
1993 Melges 24

[larsli68]

Hello,
My 1981 had wet foam also on the other (not accessible) side of the stringers. Check out the early pages of my forum page for pictures.

//Lars

Admin Edit: http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12508.0

[swampy68]

Hey Larson. . Is there any way of removing the water or moisture from the foam.. drilling a few small holes in the plywood stringer to allow for drainage into the bilge..

[wingtime]

There is no other access to the stringers. Also there is no plywood in the stringers. I have heard of members drilling drain holes on the lower aft inboard sides of the stringers with a small hole saw. Pick a size that can be plugged later on with a rubber drain plug. This may allow some water to drain. Odds are it is the weight of the four stroke more than anything weighing down the back of the boat. Keep in mind when new the scuppers were just above the waterline. A pair of TH Marine flow max scupper balls will drastically help the situation.

[larsli68]

I think it's hard to remove the water from the stringers, without removing the foam. I opened mine from the top, and removed the wet foam with a chisel. Worked pretty good, but was boring as heck...

My floor was wet too, and I had to replace it. I installed the new floor 3/4" higher than the old floor, moved the scuppers up the same amount. I now have a self bailing boat.

//Lars (Like the drummer in Metallica)