How to Install & Fiberglass in New Stringers Into a Jet Boat

Installing & Laminating New Stringers Into a 1979 Centurion #jetboat
In the last jetboat video I posted: • How to Cut and Fit New...
I covered how to cut & fit stringers to the hull. That video is really the first part of this video. In this "second" part of the video, I will cover the steps necessary to bed in, install, & laminate the stringers.
I walk through the steps that I took, & the products that I used to attach & bed the stringers into the hull. I cover the cleanup & prep needed in between the bedding in, & the lamination of the stringers, in addition to covering the steps taken to fiberglass them in.
Toward the end of the video, I do spend some time outlining the lamination schedule, & layup that I chose for my stringers.
My goal is to try to keep the detail high in these videos, while also trying to keep them from getting too long & drawn out. I will try to break these videos down into smaller segments. So if you haven’t, I encourage you to subscribe to the channel & turn on notifications, so you can be notified of my new videos. I hope that you find this series of videos to be helpful for your project, or just enjoyable to watch. If you have comments, suggestions, or tips that you would like to share please leave them in the comments section. I would love to hear what you have to say about the project & video…
Thank you for watching!!!
If you enjoyed this video take a look at my other videos on this 79 Centurion.
Transom Replacement: • Transom Replacement on...
Hull preparation & Repairs: • Repairing the Hull of ...
Transom Wood Removal: • Cutting Out & Removing...
Cutting Out the Stringers in my 79 Centurion Jet Boat: • Cutting out the String...
Replacing the Stringers in a 1979 Centurion Jet Boat: • Replacing the Stringer...
Comparing the Berkeley & Dominator Jet Drives: • Comparing The Differen...
Restoring Berkeley Jet Pump: • Restoring a Berkeley 1...
Assembling Berkeley 12JG Jet Drive: • How to Assemble a Berk...
Berkeley Stuffer Installation: • Installing a Bowl Stuf...
Installing an inducer into a Berkeley Jet Pump: • Installing an Inducer ...
Restoring the Gel Coat on a 1979 Centurion Jet Boat: • Resurrecting the Gel C...
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📸 ~ IG: / _autotechnick_
👥 ~ Facebook: / theoriginalautotechnick
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Take a peek at some of my additional projects & content that you may enjoy:
▶️ Trevor’s 1972 Chevelle Restoration ~ The father / son Build:
• Abandoned Barn Find Ch...
1988 BMW M5 (E28) Full Restoration:
🔥🔥Comming Soon!🔥🔥
▶️ 1979 Centurion Jet Boat:
• 1979 Centurion Jet Boat
▶️ 2001 BMW M5:
• 2001 BMW M5
▶️ Tech Tips & Technical Deep Dives:
• Tech Tips & Technical ...
▶️ Hot Rods & Domestic’s:
• Hot Rods & Domestic's
▶️ Dinan E28 M5 (1988 BMW M5):
• Dinan E28 M5 (1988 BMW...
▶️ 2006 Subaru WRX STi:
• 2006 Subaru WRX STi
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About AutoTechNick:
Growing up in rural Oregon I was always around Hot Rods & Race Cars. I imagine my early exposure to this culture ignited a spark of interest in cars, which remains my passion to this day.
🎓 I am a proud Alumni of Wyoming Technical Institute, where I studied Automotive Technology, Performance Engine Building & Street Rod Fabrication. In addition to “Wyo Tech”, I graduated from the BMW Service Technician Education Program. More commonly known as BMW S.T.E.P.
🏎️ I spent nearly 10 years working in various BMW dealerships as a Master Technician. After a move back home to the PNW I found myself no longer servicing German-made machines, but now working with Italians. I spent nearly another 10 years as a Ferrari Master Technician, & Shop Foreman at a local Ferrari dealership.
🏆 I was selected by Ferrari as one of 12 technicians worldwide to compete in the “Ferrari Testa Rossa Awards”, consecutively for 4 years in a row. Finishing in 3rd place in 2016, & in 2019 I was able to place in 1st. Winning the competition & earning the title of the Top Ferrari Technician in the world!
🚀 As my time with Ferrari came to an end, a new career path awaited me…. Aerospace. I am currently working at Blue Origin, helping to build & develop the BE-3PM and BE-U rocket engines.
With my new career path, I needed an outlet for my automotive passion, thus the reason for this channel…
#socaljetboats #speedboat #powerboat

[@arnoldsnodgrass2953]

This was really useful. Thanks especially for all the very specific details and examples you included, that’s very helpful.

[@AutoTechNick]

🙏 Thanks. I hope it helped out with your project!! ~ Nick

[@josephmufdi4564]

Outstanding! I'm getting ready to do the floor and stringers on a 1961 Hydro Swift. Your videos are fantastic.

[@AutoTechNick]

Thank you! I hope that the videos end up helping you throughout your build! Best of luck... ~ Nick

[@josephmufdi4564]

@@AutoTechNick It already has.

[@vppnbrent]

Great job Nick. Beautiful.

[@AutoTechNick]

Thank you

[@jaredstafford5565]

The boat is coming together nicely 👌 can't wait to see it finished 👍🤘😁

[@AutoTechNick]

Thank you! And I’m right with ya…. I cannot wait to be done with this thing. This is a project out of necessity, that is preventing me from being on projects that I want to be on! ~ Nick

[@joearnold4757]

What type of wood? And could a person use composite decking board?

[@AutoTechNick]

@joearnold4757 I used clear vertical grain Douglas fir. If you want to use a composite, I would look I to coosa board. ~ Nick

[@gerlandkent6377]

[great, looking work]👍

[@AutoTechNick]

Thank you!

[@paulstrickert3728]

Thanks once again Nick! Very informative video.... Look'in Good!!!!

[@bryanfyler3921]

Always keeping an eye on the details. Like playing chess with the project. Forward thinking is paying off!

[@AutoTechNick]

Bryan, I think that is a great comparison to how I feel about this project. I feel like I need to stay 10 steps ahead of it, or it’s going to bite me in the ass…. 😂 ~ Nick

[@hotrodhatch]

It’s coming along pretty good, keep up the good work!

[@AutoTechNick]

Thanks!!

[@jamiesonsime9197]

Lookin’ good 👍

[@johnhiggins9615]

Very skill full.

[@Dave_Dickinson]

Great work

[@AutoTechNick]

🙏 Thank you!

[@RogerWark]

Also saw a video where the fiberglassed the floor to the outside edge of the boat. I was just wondering if I should do that also?

[@AutoTechNick]

How the floor is installed and tabbed in all depends on the style and use of the boat. ~ Nick

[@robertarchebeque7345]

Man great job 👏

[@AutoTechNick]

Thank you!

[@RogerWark]

It seems to me that it would be wise to fill between the stringers with insulation Styrofoam or expandable foam. Did you do that on this speedboat or just put the wood floor on the stringers without insulation? Very good video. Keep it up.

[@AutoTechNick]

For these older fiberglass jet boats, most stay away from any foam. It does not bring many benefits and has a tendency to hold water causing more damage. ~ Nick

[@trentrisley1718]

what wood did you use? It looks great I am in the process of doing a full restoration on an 18ft eastporter.

[@AutoTechNick]

I used Clear Vertical Grain Douglas fir.

[@stevejackson4136]

I’ve enjoyed your videos and the in debt descriptions but I have to ask about your tabbing schedule. You did an 8” then a smaller 4” on top. I was always taught to do smaller to bigger. I just redid a transom doing a 4” then an 8” then a 12” tabbing then a complete whole sheet of 1708 that extended 2” over the 12”. Just curious your thinking. Thanks

[@AutoTechNick]

Good question Steve. My reasoning for doing my layup this way is as follows: Even just one layer of 1708 is reasonably thick. When tabbing up as you described, with the shorter pieces, then moving to the longer ones, you have to overlay the longer piece over the edge of where the shorter 1708 ends. Due to the thickness of the underlying layer of 1708, it can be challenging to have the top layer lay completely flat and follow that transition. There is a higher choice to have a void and a weak bond. By doing the layup in reverse, I avoided that issue, which is why I chose that method. ~ Nick

[@stevejackson4136]

@@AutoTechNick thanks for the reply. I’ve never used poly or vinyl, just epoxy. My schedule was applied while each layer was wet. While smoothing out the 4” getting air bubbles out, the 8” was wetted out on the table. When the 4” was finished, wetted out the 12” and then worked on the 8”:::etc. I would be concerned that if your 8” happened to delaminate, the 4” on top would be of no help. By the way, I’m working on a 1979 Checkmate Enchanter. Your videos have been a big help. I did my stringer using a tool like yours today. Great videos.

[@delstep2255]

Can I reuse foam to refill hull if it is not bad or wet?

[@AutoTechNick]

I suppose one could, although I personally would not. ~ Nick

[@delstep2255]

@@AutoTechNick Thanks

[@lodwill5116]

How can I make the transom connection to stringers stronger. Top of transom takes all the flexing. . Hard to make a gusset..?? No room. I feel two stringers don’t attach good enough.?? 😮 . Like make it handle a bigger motor. 70 hours to a 150. Perfect. But scared transom after years will weaken. I did wheelies in my old boat. Sop would not put 200 on it.??? 😮

[@AutoTechNick]

The transom in a jet boat does not see the same loads as a IO or OB. All the thrust force from the jet is transferred through the pump suction housing and intake directly to the keel. If you are concerned about that junction, then increase your layers of 1708 when tabbing them in. ~ Nick

[@beanieweenie9543]

Is your putty epoxy based or is it vinyl also? And just curious what factors led you to using vinyl as opposed to poly or epoxy?

[@AutoTechNick]

the putty is vinyl based. I like everything that epoxy products have to offer, EXCEPT its limitations with going back to vinyl products. That is why I chose not to use epoxy based products for my repairs. ~ Nick

[@beanieweenie9543]

@@AutoTechNick Got ya, I was just always told that epoxy was superior when it comes to bonding. But I get it once you put epoxy down you can’t put vinyl or poly on top of it.

[@AutoTechNick]

@@beanieweenie9543 Exactly. I really did not want to go down that one way street just now.

[@beanieweenie9543]

@@AutoTechNick i completely understand, thanks for the reply. It’s nice to see someone doing solid proper work on KZbin for a change!

[@baldfetta]

What type of wood are those stringers? Fir?

[@AutoTechNick]

Clear Vertical Grain Douglas Fir ~ Nick

[@fieldsken1]

I hate to say this but you needed to put some tabs between the stringers and hull. You don't want the stringers mounted directly to the hull. It will have no flexibility and will crack the hull eventually. Also when you did the glass the first one was fine but the second layer should have gone out pass the first one to mount to the hull for strength. Otherwise you have one glued to the other but only one holding down the stringer. Otherwise you are doing a good job. I wish I could draw a picture for you

[@AutoTechNick]

Thanks for the tips Ken. Building and repairing these boats can be a bit tricky for most guys trying to do this as a DIY at home. I kinda touched on it towards the end of the video, but opinions and techniques on the "proper" way to do this vary radically. I don't think I have ever had two people recommend the same method. My goal was to share the methods and techniques that I felt were the most suitable for my situation. I was very intentional about the methods chosen for the repair. I feel that it will provide the repair and life for what I need, and use the boat for. I am happy to go into more depth on this if anyone is interested. I do appreciate you sharing your experience as well. I genuinely believe that if we all share our knowledge and get the info out there, we can help many others. In those situations, the true winner is our hobby... ~ Nick

[@rockybrent674]

What. model. that. boat. is Because I am look at one is 1981 centurion that. has Outdrive stern

[@AutoTechNick]

My boat is a 1979 Centuion. I believe that they called it a “Warrior?” I have seen the same hull have outboard, I/O, and jet drive configurations. Although I do not recall if they configuration changes the name of the boat. ~ Nick

[@rockybrent674]

@@AutoTechNick it has 360 Chrysler with stern outdrive I never heard of it it possibly closed the hole of jet pup drive intake area

[@rockybrent674]

how I. can. send u. a pic of boat. I am. plan. to. buy it

[@fieldsken1]

If I was you I would not put a floor in. It's added weight it don't need plus it traps water and then you have problems. I would put a removable floor between the stringers to give you a flat area to walk or leave it just stringers. Or put a balsa wood floor.

[@AutoTechNick]

Ken, Although I am conscious about adding unessecary weight to the boat, the 40ish lbs a floor is going to be is not a worry for me. Now by floor, I do mean only the section in between the stringers. I see no point in adding any more than that. That is how it was before the rebuild, and that is how I plan to finish it out. This boat is a family day cruiser. My wife and kids are all over this boat. Functionality and comfort come first over speed and performance. You do have a good point about the floor trapping water. But that is why it is important to plan ahead and incorporated the necessary measures to allow the water to drain, preventing trapped or static water that concern is minimal. ~ Nick

[@bobbywartman2058]

Next time use a 60cc or 90cc syringe instead of that bag....Syringe has more hyd force...to inject material.

[@AutoTechNick]

That is a very good idea! I did use a syringe to fix get some epoxy in between a section of fiberglass and gel coat on the transom, but I did not have one large enough for this job…. Hence why I raided the wife’s supply in the kitchen. 😂 ~ Nick

[@bobbywartman2058]

Just order a box of them online....You'll find uses for them...Luck sucking old dirty brake fluid out of a M/C....when it's time to flush a system. 😀

[@maciejpogrzebski4548]

Wery paintion dog😂🤣

[@maciejpogrzebski4548]

Please use the professional mask if You would like to live over 50 years old

[@RogerWark]

Also saw a video where the fiberglassed the floor to the outside edge of the boat. I was just wondering if I should do that also?

[@RogerWark]

Also saw a video where the fiberglassed the floor to the outside edge of the boat. I was just wondering if I should do that also?