Wood Rot/Stingers Around Fuel Tank

[TXDeer5layer]

So i have a 1987 206g overnighter and it has some rotton wood around the fuel tank under the cover. The tops of the stringers on both sides from the top to about 3" down are starting to rot and the cored fiberglass directly astern of the fuel tank is completely shot. The fuel tank is fine but its the original and my guy says the wood forward of the fuel tank hatch is all fine. But, he quoted me 3000$ to fix all of it and replace the fuel tank with a plastic one while he's at it.

Now, I plan on keeping this boat for a long time so it's worth it to me to spend some money to get everything fixed right. HOWEVER, i don't like the idea of spending money on something I don't have too. The rot is not too severe, YET, but im looking at the future and thinking it might be good preventive maintenance to go ahead and do it.

What do yall think? Is it necessary or worth it to fix or should i not worry about it? Included is a drawing of where the rot is.

 

[VeroWing]

Are you sure that there isn't more bad wood in other areas of the boat, such as transom, floors, bulkhead, stringers, etc? It would be a shame to give this person 3 grand only to have to spend another 3 or4 on a 1987 boat that you could buy for about the same amount without these problems. I would wonder how repair person would repair/replace stringers without removing cockpit floor, so as to encapsulate wood with fresh glass and resin on both sides. I personally would at the very least get another estimate or two, AND, have the complete boat checked over by a qualified surveyor/layman before going forward on repairs. Just my opinion.

 

[gw204]

Are you sure that there isn't more bad wood in other areas of the boat, such as transom, floors, bulkhead, stringers, etc? It would be a shame to give this person 3 grand only to have to spend another 3 or4 on a 1987 boat that you could buy for about the same amount without these problems. I would wonder how repair person would repair/replace stringers without removing cockpit floor, so as to encapsulate wood with fresh glass and resin on both sides. I personally would at the very least get another estimate or two, AND, have the complete boat checked over by a qualified surveyor/layman before going forward on repairs. Just my opinion.

Yeah....what he said.

 

[Pez Vela]

A picture or two would be very helpful in assessing your situation. My opinion would be based upon a comparison between how your compartment looks compared to mine when I replaced my two tanks of the same vintage. I would be surprised if your original tank has much time left, and if I replaced it, I would research the "plastic vs. aluminum" issue before making the switch.

 

[TXDeer5layer]

The transom is fine and the rest of the boat seems solid. I noticed there is a rotten 1" compartment separator in the starboard cuddy cabin storage hatch but the rest in there seems fine. As far as the rest of the stringers, it's hard to tell but i've gone over the boat personally with a fine tooth comb and haven't seen any more rotted wood. Of course, there's a lot i can't see. My guy says the rest of the boat seems fine to him. I'm OCD so i want everything in good solid condition.

The floors seem fine too, there are no soft spots, The only problem i can see is there is some flex where the cockpit flooring and aft fuel tank area meet, just a tiny bit of flex if you step on it.

 

[gw204]

a rotten 1" compartment separator in the starboard cuddy cabin storage hatch

Does it run fore to aft? If so...that's a stringer.