Ideas on reenforcing gunwale cap

[davis74]

I have a 1971 19-1. The gunwale cap or washboard really bows down when I step down on it from the dock. The under gunwale rod holders were removed when I bought the boat were those supports? I would like to hear your ideas on fixing the problem. Thanks

[Mad Dog]

Davis, I would refit brackets to replace the rod holders.  On my rebuild, I recored the cap with 1/2" ply and added the same 1/2" inside the cap facia (?).  There was nothing providing verticle support on my 22-2.  Now it is very stiff under my 200#.

MD  

[LilRichard]

Mad Dog - there is no core in a 1971 hull, so you would have to add a core.    That's a good way to go, but requires you remove the cap.  

I went with gussets every two feet with a few hullside stiffeners that went all the way from the floor up to the cap.  You can see the stiffeners here:





Here's a shot showing the smaller gussets:

[davis74]

That looks really nice. What did you use to build the stiffeners? Thanks for the help.

[LilRichard]

Thanks.

They're just glass over foam.  Start with 3lb polyurethane foam, shape to fit, then lay two or three layers of 1808 over it.

[compcrasher86]

I am in the same predicament, I actually found two out of four rod holder assemblies thrown inside the hull (weird?) so I am taking them out, tracing to make two of each (yeah they're so beat up they wont be going back in) , and rebuilding with the classic stain and varnish appearence

[davis74]

Do the rod holders add support? LilRichard thanks for the info I think I am going to try to copy that.

[davis74]

LilRichard when you said "3lb polyurethane foam" I assume you mean foam board not liquid 2 part foam? Do you know a good place to buy or order from? Is there a name (brand) for the foam? Thanks

[LilRichard]

Yes, foam board.  I do not think there is a brand - I bought mine from FGCI.  You can also try Composites One.  

You don't need a structural foam, the strength comes from the glass.  And the 3lb variety is easily shaped.