71 22-2 Flatback Re-build Watch and Comment Please

[Marcel4t]

The owner told me that the floor had been replaced. And the wood that's on top of the stringers is glassed-in on top of the original stringers. Does not look stock at all. And the wood runs along all the stringers. So I don't believe it's just for a console. 

[Tampa Bay Mike]

I just went back through some pictures of mine and the bedding compound was pretty flattened out and only 1/4 to a 1/2" max all the way down the stringer, and no wood on top at all.

In the second pic of yours it almost looks like the previous owner glassed in a small angle, or cleat if you will, on the side for the floor to sit on and then poured some foam on top to fill it all in.

[Marcel4t]

It's strange looking huh?   Anyways, I guess I'll just go off the top of the stringers under the wood as far as height.  I'm thinking of raising the floor 2+".

[RickK]

The owner told me that the floor had been replaced. And the wood that's on top of the stringers is glassed-in on top of the original stringers. Does not look stock at all. And the wood runs along all the stringers. So I don't believe it's just for a console. 

If someone has been in there before then it makes sense it was done by them. When I replaced my floor way back when, I needed to support the new floor that I laid on top of a ledge left by cutting out the floor.  I built it up with a piece of 5/8" fencing on all the stringer tops and that wood was still there in fine shape when I demo'd the boat on this rebuild. So what is your plan to build your up?

[mshugg]

Definitely looks added later.  It looks like dimensional lumber (not ply) and not verry well encapsulated with glass. If it was original to your flatly, it would be rotted or at least black with mold.

Maybe someone who has, or has rebuilt, a flatback can give you some info on deck height.  Higher helps with self bailing, but may raise center of gravity.  The CG thing may be more important if you’re adding a tower.

[Marcel4t]

Okay, cool.  Ive seen a few FB builds where they raised the floor, and also had towers.  I will have a T-top.  So I think I'll raise floor 2 1/2 inches by using 3/4" + 1/2" Coosa on the stringers and having my bulkheads that level also. 
The counsole was screwed down with around 20 screws, into floor and in some places into the wood of stringers.  I will probably glass the console down.  The consloe also has the T top attached, so its gotta be held down good.   

[RickK]

Here is a link to where Aaron shows, explains his fence post use for raising the deck height
https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=9842.msg114017#msg114017

[Tampa Bay Mike]

That sounds like a lot of $$$ in Coosa! I'm using fence posts as well. I took a 5" post and ripped it in half on the table saw to get the 2 1/2" height I wanted. The 5" posts were a little thicker than the 4" ones already. Then Marine surplus has a bunch of rolls of 1700 in 6, 8 and 10 inch for $20-30 a piece that I'm using to wrap them with. Probably 3 or 4 layers. I'm using poly for that and will then tab them down with epoxy. All in will probably be less than $200?

[Marcel4t]

That sounds like a lot of $$$ in Coosa! I'm using fence posts as well. I took a 5" post and ripped it in half on the table saw to get the 2 1/2" height I wanted. The 5" posts were a little thicker than the 4" ones already. Then Marine surplus has a bunch of rolls of 1700 in 6, 8 and 10 inch for $20-30 a piece that I'm using to wrap them with. Probably 3 or 4 layers. I'm using poly for that and will then tab them down with epoxy. All in will probably be less than $200?

I was thinking about the Coosa for raising the floor as it will also give me someplace strong to screw into for my console/tower.  But now Im thinking of just glassing my console in.....my T-top attaches to my so glassing in alone may not be a good idea?  Im at that stage where Im starting to think about details and getting stuck. 

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Maybe you could just add the coosa where things will be screwed down and use a more cost effective way for the rest?

[Marcel4t]

   Common sense..you have it!

[Fish Head]

Maybe a idea for you? I used PVC trim boards from Menards to raise the floor 1 inch. They are relatively light too! Where you see the perpendicular extensions I used SS T-nuts and 1/4-20 SS bolts counter sunk into the floor to fasten. So no disturbing the stringers with fasteners. They are bisquet jointed together just for kicks. Also used this on the perimeter of the floor (where I left a 2 inch flange) with PVC smaller cut cleats. My stringers were in great shape. Spent half day grinding the existing cement off the top. Did the PVC flame treatment and sanded with 30 grit to give the "Gorrilla" waterproof construction adhesive something to grab on too. Cheers T

[Marcel4t]

Maybe a idea for you? I used PVC trim boards from Menards to raise the floor 1 inch. They are relatively light too! Where you see the perpendicular extensions I used SS T-nuts and 1/4-20 SS bolts counter sunk into the floor to fasten. So no disturbing the stringers with fasteners. They are bisquet jointed together just for kicks. Also used this on the perimeter of the floor (where I left a 2 inch flange) with PVC smaller cut cleats. My stringers were in great shape. Spent half day grinding the existing cement off the top. Did the PVC flame treatment and sanded with 30 grit to give the "Gorrilla" waterproof construction adhesive something to grab on too. Cheers T

Thank you for the advice, thats very creative.
So now I am seriously leaning towards taking out my stringers and starting fresh. I was planning on taking out center stringer and fitting a tank between, but Im having a hard time finding a poly tank that will fit, and I'd rather not go with aluminum. 
I am planning on raising the floor 2-3 inches. 
 I just went through every FB rebuild and only found 4 who kept their stringers. 
In addition, these stringers are 47 years old, and even though they see like they are in good shape, who knows how long that will last?
This is the part of a project I loath, the frozen analysis paralysis.  I need to make a decision and just go with it.

[mshugg]

Have you checked out Rick’s 170 rebuild.  He did something innovative by notching his stringers to fit a wider tank.  It also gave him solid attachment points to block the tank in place. It’s a worthwhile option to consider.  It seems a shame to rip out good stringers if you don’t need to.

[Marcel4t]

Have you checked out Rick’s 170 rebuild.  He did something innovative by notching his stringers to fit a wider tank.  It also gave him solid attachment points to block the tank in place. It’s a worthwhile option to consider.  It seems a shame to rip out good stringers if you don’t need to.

That could totally work.  Thank you.  I also need to figure out how big a tank I want.  Im thinking around 50g.  Ive never had a boat this size so I am not sure what is the usual amount.