mid cabin stringers - part 2

[BobCT]

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been removing the fiberglass limber hole tubes for inspection, repair and sealing with epoxy. What I didn't know until Todd clarified for me was the factory gap between the bottom of the stringer and the hull. I didn't notice this until I removed six in the mid cabin, on each side (two big ones and four smaller ones).

I'm leaving the tubes removed, sealing the ply with penetrating epoxy and then thickened epoxy from a tube. That will keep some airflow under the length of the stringer(s) and also let me see if there's any water running underneath.

I guess the downside is that this can serve as a conduit and spread the water around. Todd, does the gap run through the engine room bulkhead? In other words, could water under the engine stringer wind up under the stringers in the cabin at some point? Is it all one connected piece?

Bob

[yorklyn]

Bob
from what I could tell when cutting mine out, the gap between the bottom of the stringer and the hull ran pretty much the whole way. it basically looked like the bottom of the stringer was cut square and not beveled at the angle of the hull. be sure if you leave the gap open that no water gets in as it could travel pretty far. drying wood that is encapsulated in fiberglass is really hard. I had one of the old stringers laying around my shop for over 2 years before I tossed it. I cut it up while getting rid of it and it was still soaked all the way to the top even with the bottom wood exposed.