If the stringers' fiberglass is in tact and not cracked, and the hull is in good shape, how much is the hull's strength compremised? Will I have to gut my boat and replace the wood? Will my boat survive a life on calm backwaters of the lakes and bayous of La? Please advise 50burnscraft

The fiberglass is the skin of your boat, the stringers are the backbone. If they are rotted (probably transom too) they need to be replaced. Nobody with any knowledge is going to tell you operating the boat with these deficiences is a safe proposition.

OLD HOUSEBOATER39084.8903587963

Mr Greer formally with Burnscraft answered my prayers in that he said that Charles Burns built all his boats with hollow stringers so I should be OK. I will check my transom as you suggested thanks for taking the time to reply, 50burnscraft

I have a 50fter also.Doing a complete rebuild pretty much.my stringers closest to the center are in bad shape.I oponed one of them and they were not hollow.it looks like they were 2 pieces of 3/4 plywood wrapped in fiberglass.I two would like to leave them as they are.i moved the boat myself useing bottle jacks,etc,so i know my boat is still very solid with them rotted.been trying to talk to surveyors to see where i stand on this.no luck so far.was wondering if mr. geer meant there were built to be strong enough after they rotted?what kind of gen. you got?mines a onan 5500,would like to have wiring diagram on it.

My curiosity got the best me and I cut 2 1/2 inch holes in the top of my stringers in 4 places and found nothing inside, it was clean. the only place I found wood was in the engine compartment. If Mr Greer was mistaken, someone cleaned out the stringers in my boat. Is it possible that someone added plywood in your stringers? Plywood sounds like an unlikely factory choice for stringer wood.

I do not see any signs that there was ever any wood in the stringers and I am going to keep on boating and keep an eye out. 50burnscraft

sorry you cut holes.guess glad they wre clean.i have cut into mine and the thickness is only 1/8 in.is that about what yours was?

The thickness of the stringers on my boat vary from a minimum 1/8 to 3/16'' where I bored the holes for inspection. I hope this helps, 50Burnscraft