what is the function of the keel stringer?

[mada]

It would be great to hear potters response.

I look forward to hearing his reply to this.

If you could...

ask him how it could lend to the boats stiffness if the 4 main stringers are so stocky and overbuilt.

[Capt Chuck]

mada

I tried to call Potter. Both numbers I had for him were disconnected. Maybe Hermco who deals with his Seamark Bracket could answer your questions. I questioned Mike @ wildfire Marine. He said they are wood and had never seen one that was rotted, just a few that were damp. He said that it provided stiffness to the keel.

[ October 31, 2003, 08:24 PM: Message edited by: capt chuck steele ]

[mada]

I should have been more clear...

my concern was with dampness, not rot...however, they are all too often related.

Thanks again for your help with this. Any relevant info on the stringers and their relations to each other would be helpful.

[Trayder]

Mine was rotten. I tore it out and replaced it with 1/2 round 4" PVC/ I then covered the PVC with 2-3 layers of roven woven.

I use the inside of the 1/2 round as the drain to the bilge from the fwd compartment.

My Contender uses the same theory, I just copied it.

Give me a year or two to tell you if it works but so far so good.

I have been able to lift the hull up with a floor jack, placing the jack directy under the bottom center of the boat, so replacing the wood with PVC/ Glass has proven plenty strong.

[mada]

Ok, so if the glass is intact & in good shape on top of a damp stringer, wouldn't it be doing the same thing as a half round with glass?

[Trayder]

On mine there was only 1, maybe 2 layers of WR so I do not think so, no.

There was not enough glass covering the center stringer to compensate for the loss in integrity of the rotten wood.

[Trayder]

Mada-

I read on the Hull truth you may be looking into buying a Contender? If so, what size?

By the way, my 1999 25 just happens to be for sale [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]