Wet stringers in a Silverton... deal breaker?

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Rick D

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Hello. I posted the following in the general forum but was told this might be the better place to post.

Well, my surveyor looked at the 1991 Silverton 34' X I was intending to buy. My request was to do the inspection in two phases, with the first being an out of water inspection of the hull.

He came back saying the hull it self is very solid and no sign of moisture in the fiberglass itself.

However, every stringer in the boat pinned his meter so he has no dry stringer to hammer on to determine what it should sound like to determine structural integrity.

So I called Silverton and they said the plywood inside the stringers is strictly for the form and not for structural integrity with the exception of the stringers the engine is bolted to. He said if the wood in the stringers for the engine brackets is bad, there would be play or movement in the brackets for the engine.

So, what am I to believe? Have other Silverton owners had this issue before? Do I believe what Silverton says that the wood is not for structural purposes? If I turn this deal down, do I find that any other Silverton boat of this vintage is going to have the same problem?

Help and opinions on this issue are appreciated.

--Rick
 
I would run from the boat. Stringers are the spine of a boat, it will cost you thousands (maybe tens of thousands) to get them fixed. I doubt if you can get insurance with a survey showing wet stringers.
 
quote:
Originally posted by HOGAN

I would run from the boat. Stringers are the spine of a boat, it will cost you thousands (maybe tens of thousands) to get them fixed. I doubt if you can get insurance with a survey showing wet stringers.

Click to expand...

+1, I know it's hard to walk away from something you have your mind set on but it's not worth the risk and head ache. There are lots of good deals out there keep looking.
 
+3
I do not see why Silverton would have used plywood stringers if not needed. One of the selling points when I bought my Regal back in 1992 was fiberglass stringers; no wood. It's one less this to worry about.
 
I hear what everyone is saying... but why would Siliverton's service rep tell me the plywood is not structural? (with the exception of the motor mounts)
 
I don't like the idea of wet stringers, as that water can cause further problems, just by its presence, even if the wood itself is truly not structural.

That said, I'm a little concerned about dismissing the idea of the stringer wood being there just as a form. There are many here just dismissing that out of hand, without any information to the contrary whatsoever. Right or wrong, the reasons for the conclusions here are dangerous and not in keeping with the thinking forum that this usually is.

There is such a thing as box stringers. I've had two boats with them. Both of them were formed around a foam core, not wood. But I'd be just as dismayed that I had wet foam (which is common). Again, moisture laying against a laminate can cause problems, despite the core material construction. Box stringers in my opinion, based on the massive beefy designs that I have been privy to, are far superior to the more typical wood cored, or foam cored counterpart. Though foam is often not used structurally in stringers, as it is a poor structural substitute to a properly bedded wood counterpart.

What I'm saying is that you likely still don't have enough information to base a conclusion. I would never outright dismiss a manufacturers guidance (unless maybe it was from Searay or the new Bertram or other entity that has estalished itself as a known enemy of the truth). If being honest with you, the manufacturer surely knows more about the layup schedule than any armchair forum opinion. But wood usually IS structural. It's odd to claim that it is not. It's more likely there is a bit of truth stretching going on, essentially saying "hey those stringers USED to be super strong, but with the wood compromised they should still be...adequate, sufficient, serviceable or some other such weasely, squishy adjective. Then again, if were talking the style of box stringers old man slickers put into the Slickcraft I once owned, then truly you have absolutely no need of any functional coring.

The only way to know what is in there is to take a core sample. That's what I would want. In any case, even if the stringers are strong and functional, you need to get the water out. That means you likely need to strategically locate some drying holes into them, while also identifying what is causing them to get wet in the first place. That should not be going on.

I'd approach the seller and see if he was willing to have the core samples done, on his dime, on his risk. If they come out as seriously beefy box stringers (have your well qualified surveyor evaluate), not needing the wood, then make an offer on the boat subject to having the stringers FULLY DRIED. Get an estimate for having this done, it won't necessarily be cheap and discount the price of the boat accordingly.
 
Wow, this is depressing... but probably not as much as buying and having problems later. Before I cancel the deal altogether, I would really like to hear what Al might have to say on this issue.

Thanks everyone for the info.
--Rick
 
It might be worth it for you to give a call to another surveyor and ask his opinion if Al doesn't chime in here.

The reality of it is that there is a great chance the majority of the other boats like this probably have similar symptoms.
 
Hi Rick,

This is a very common problem found in Silverton boats. The limber holes in the stringers area not sealed and they suck up moisture. R&D at Silverton stated to me years ago just what you posted. I don't consider this condition to be a deal breaker until a core sample is taken and rot has been determined. If there is no rot present,there are means of dealing with the condition. Feel free to give me a call 845-228-1071
 
The only stringer on that vintage Silverton you really have to worry about are the ones where the motors are attached. From one bulk head to the other under the motors the stringers should be solid wood covered with glass and mat. All the others can be hollow as the fiberglass form is the real structure in those boats.

As Al stated, the liber holes in the stringers were never sealed and can soak up water.
 
Not to hijack, but what would it have cost to seal the limber holes, maybe $100.00 per hull?---------More Production Boat Magic!
 
I've had three Silvertons, 2, 94s and a 95. All three boats had all the limber holes sealed at the factory. Maybe they weren't doing that before 94, but they sure were after.
 
My Mainship 1993 limber holes are sealed. Silverton, Mainship and Luhrs all pretty much the same builder. I'm not sure about the mid 80's. Rick listen to Al Prisco that's why I sent you here. The guy is one of the "best".
Bill
 
Well, my name is MICHAEL and I’m so glad this guy walked away from his boat because I bought it in the first place, correct the wood has absolutely nothing to do with the strength of the stringers so I bought this boat and I’ve been happy with it since 2011 it’s a wonderful boat with zero issues I’ve gone through the whole Boat updated and modified it and I’ve enjoyed it since 2011 the boat even survived hurricane Sandy so sorry buddy I got this boat at a bargain price enjoyed it ever since the boat you’re referring to came out of Mad taco, Long Island, and the surveyor, who surveyed the boat was probably clueless and had no clue about Silverton boats Silverton boats well maybe be a price point Boat give you a lot of boat for the money and if you think they’re junk that’s a matter of your opinion but consider this there’s a lot of them still around tons of them from the 80s into the 90s into the 2000s and they got better and better and better!
 
Brickmaster said:
Well, my name is MICHAEL and I’m so glad this guy walked away from his boat because I bought it in the first place, correct the wood has absolutely nothing to do with the strength of the stringers so I bought this boat and I’ve been happy with it since 2011 it’s a wonderful boat with zero issues I’ve gone through the whole Boat updated and modified it and I’ve enjoyed it since 2011 the boat even survived hurricane Sandy so sorry buddy I got this boat at a bargain price enjoyed it ever since the boat you’re referring to came out of Mad taco, Long Island, and the surveyor, who surveyed the boat was probably clueless and had no clue about Silverton boats Silverton boats well maybe be a price point Boat give you a lot of boat for the money and if you think they’re junk that’s a matter of your opinion but consider this there’s a lot of them still around tons of them from the 80s into the 90s into the 2000s and they got better and better and better!
Click to expand...
The boat was in Mattituck Long Island . The owner was 85 years old at the time. I bought the boat direct from the owner with 275 hours on it I’ve been offshore with it no issues and the boat gets complements wherever it goes. I posted many modifications on Silverton forums.com.
 
Here are some pics
 

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