Under Your Feet
In this post, we will discuss the stringer system in our 2024 demo boat. The stringers are essential for the boat’s structure and provide support for the surface you stand on. If you haven’t been following along, you can catch up on our journey by reading our previous blog posts here.
The Stringers
Stringers are a key structural component in boat construction, serving several essential functions:
- Linking the sides, bottom, and deck of the boat for strength
- Providing dividers between the compartments under the deck
- Holding the fuel tank in place and creating space for flotation foam
- Supporting the deck
In our demo boat, we use a network of interlocking 1″ Coosa board pieces, bonded to the sides and bottom of the hull.
In the past, builders made stringers from plywood, but modern boats use composite materials that last longer in wet environments. At Atlas, we do not use wood in our boat construction.
Building these stringers has taken a lot of time. Many builders have moved away from this “stick-built” method because it is inefficient and requires a lot of skilled labor. Measuring, cutting, fitting, and fiberglassing all take a considerable amount of time.
The alternative to stick-built is to create a mold for the stringers, build them on the mold, and then drop them into the hull, bonding them to the bottom and sides. Both methods can produce a quality product, but the time investment differs significantly. Most production boat builders use a mold for their stringers. We plan to adopt this method eventually to reduce labor costs.
Next Time
In our next post, we will jump into the deck design and construction. It is the next piece in the building of the boat and the final major component to be built. Brace yourself!
