Timber Replacement for Steel Stringer.

by Ben
(Ireland)

Our boat has had a steel angle iron fitted as a chine stringer.

This was fixed using steel bolts which rust etc.

We are to change this for timber and ss bolts.

Would 3 by 2 inch mahogany be strong enough to replace the 1.1/4 by 1.1/4 inch steel angle.

We do not think this angle is original.

Comments for
Timber Replacement for Steel Stringer.

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May 03, 2012

Larch or Mahogany
by: Bill

If the stringer isn’t visible I would go with the larch and save the mahogany for any areas where looks are important.

On the other hand if you already have the mahogany and it is of a good quality and it is going to be visible….

May 02, 2012

Thanks for Replies
by: Ben

I forgot to say I may have some larch cheap I could use, would this be better than mahogany?

May 02, 2012

Thanks for Replies
by: Ben

We want to use Mahogany as we have found some cheap. The ribs are 1 and 1/4 inch should we use 1 and 1/4 inch timber for the stringer? The problem here is that if we then use a 1/2 inch bolt we are taking strengh out of the timber.

The angle iron had blocks behind it where the bolt went through the plank and angle, this we now assume was to stop it clamping hard onto the rib causing stress.

I am thinkin now of using 3x1 1/2 as a compromise and put the blocks back as well, just not sure this would be strong enough. The origonal bilge stringer is like 4x2.

We priced bronze and it was too expencive, maybe next time as it would look better. This stringer is above the waterline and in fresh water most the time.

May 02, 2012

REPLACING STRINGERS
by: CHARLES GATCHELL

USE OAK OR TEAK, CUT TO FIT AND PRE-DRILL THEN SOAK YOUR NEW STRINGERS WITH "WEST SYSTEMS" EPOXY,WITH SLOW HARDNER, CUT TO A WATERY STATE WITH A TINY BIT OF 91% ALCOHOL AVAILABLE AT WALGREENS!!!
YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO FIX IT AGAIN.
CHEERS!

http://www.keysyachts.com/

May 02, 2012

Mahogany Stringers
by: Mike

I wouldn’t for one minute think that the angle iron was original.

3x2 timber replacement should be strong enough.

But that depends on the size of the frames, the thickness of the stringer shouldn’t be greater than the thickness of the ribs/frames or it can put too much stress on the part of the frame it is attached to.

I would consider using silicon bronze fastener rather than stainless steel anywhere below the waterline.

Hopefully the rusting steel bolts won’t have caused too much damage to the wood surrounding them but if they have you might have to go up a size when replacing them.

Just wondering why you suggest mahogany?

Oak would be a lot cheaper and probably a better choice.

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