Wet stringers?
 

So heres my problem, it seems my 1973 20' SF is holding water I believe. I have noticed over the past few years the boat sitting a little lower and water is over the painted waterline. I could easily just raise the paint but that is not going to solve the problem. I believe the stringers have gotten wet over all the years. Also I'm running a 225hp two smoker and light on fuel with just me on board running low 50's mph. The boat used to run much faster and actually chine walk pretty bad trimmed up with 4 people. Engine has full compression and is propped right. The deck was removed and replaced in 2005 and is all composite so no water there. New composite transom 4 years ago too. Anyone ever cut open stringers and remove the foam and replace? If so how wet and heavy was it? Any thoughts would be helpful, thank you.

U could try jacking the front of the boat up for a while and make sure your drain holes on the inside rear stringer box both side is not clogged . U could even drill a few xtra 1/2 inch hole and see if they drain. My 73 23 had some water but it was mainly n the back cause I always keep it jack up in front

225 hp for a boat of that year sounds high. What is the weight of motor?

I am getting 40 mph with a 115 Opti Merc.

Maybe a motor problem.

If you need to go faster than 50 mph maybe the twenty SF is the wrong boat. It's always nice to make it back home.

No drains are not clogged.
I drilled a small hole in one stinger last year but no water came out.
Yes I'm over powered, boat still self bails. The weight of the engine isn't the problem its been on there since 2002.
Engine runs fine, its not that want/need to go over 50 just got great deal on engine.

Does it stay in water

When I rebuilt my boat in the last 36 months my foam was not saturated more just some water between the stringer and foam in the rear but not even a 1/2 gallon. I did have a big pocket of dirty brown water when I cut my step out. I was not going to do that but my son talked me into it and I’m glade he did. I have seen some post on here were the tank area held water . Not sure were the xtra weight is coming from if no water

Yes it stays in water for about 4 months.