help

[Cotton]

Hello...I need some input on a 77 Spectra 20 Jet I'm considering. I have been doing lots of research and I've heard conflicting stories about this year of Spectra. Some say that these hulls are NOT full-stringer, and that they're only half-stringer hulls...some say "YES" I've seen non-restored 77 Spectra Jet Boats that had full-stringers. Why are full-stringers...other than strength...really needed? Can non-full-stringer hulls be retro-fitted to full-stringers? Is it worth it?-----The 77 Spectra 20 Jet I found is clean and I figure if it's lasted this long without full-stringers...it must be strong enough???? Please give me your input about ALL this...I'm just wanting a good ole' family jet boat

[rivermobster]

maybe someone should move this to the right forum??

*bump*

[FASTJTBT144]

Ive never seen a 20 with out full stringers sure its a spectra? Now the 18
and 19 I have seen in that 20 is there a center stringer that stops in front of the motor well? Lets face it spectra built a very heavy and strong
boat for its day your not going out there and break some new speed records with it I would check for any water damage dry roit if not buy it
stringer and floor replacement get costly.

[SS-55]

I had the same question, good info from SpectraBrent here. Full stringers can always be added but is it worth it for your application? for a family fun boat not so much.

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27462&highlight=full+stringers

[SPECTRABRENT]

Ive never seen a 20 with out full stringers sure its a spectra? Now the 18
and 19 I have seen in that 20 is there a center stringer that stops in front of the motor well? Lets face it spectra built a very heavy and strong
boat for its day your not going out there and break some new speed records with it I would check for any water damage dry roit if not buy it
stringer and floor replacement get costly.

Up to 1974 Spectra made the v-drives & jets (18,20 & 24's) the same, four full stringers, foam type core in the deck and a center bulkhead in front of the v-drive.

From 1975-1978 the jets (18,19 & 20's) were motor boxes. The v-drives
always had four stringers with the center bulkhead and no foam core deck, but half round for deck support.

1979-1981 Spectra went back to four stringers for all hulls.

The Spectras that came with motor boxes were still pretty strong hulls,
my dad bought a 1976 Spectra 20 jet new with the motor box and we ran from Mead to Havasu on some bad days it always felt safe. In the early 1990's I had Joes Tooling install four stringers and balsa core in the deck and it was a different hull!

Brent

[FASTJTBT144]

Back in there hay day early 70s to 80s they built alot of boats
wouldnt think they would change the stringers for jets to vee
drive unless special orders I remember when my father bought
ours in 72 it was 89 out of the mold and they had many bare hulls
laying around ready to be rigged

[SPECTRABRENT]

Back in there hay day early 70s to 80s they built alot of boats
wouldnt think they would change the stringers for jets to vee
drive unless special orders I remember when my father bought
ours in 72 it was 89 out of the mold and they had many bare hulls
laying around ready to be rigged

I have a friend that ran Burbank Marine (owned by Spectra Marine) in the 1970's and they did shorten the stringers from 1975-1978. He had a nickname for the jetboats (Flexy Flyers). He told me that during that time Spectra hired a new manager and it was his idea to save money.

Brent

[Cotton]

Yeah it's a Spectra alright...It has an engine box only...no other stringers there...owner confirmed today



Ive never seen a 20 with out full stringers sure its a spectra? Now the 18
and 19 I have seen in that 20 is there a center stringer that stops in front of the motor well? Lets face it spectra built a very heavy and strong
boat for its day your not going out there and break some new speed records with it I would check for any water damage dry roit if not buy it
stringer and floor replacement get costly.

[Cotton]

Thanks Brent...I've seen other 76 Spectra 20's with full stringers. I looked at one a couple of months ago...it was an all original 76--20' jet and the floor was in poor shape, so I was actually able to pull up a part of the floor and look under it by the drivers seat and see the hull all the way to the keel...and there they were...4 stringers glassed into the hull...I appreciate the info...I look for another Spectra and let this 1977 be.




I have a friend that ran Burbank Marine (owned by Spectra Marine) in the 1970's and they did shorten the stringers from 1975-1978. He had a nickname for the jetboats (Flexy Flyers). He told me that during that time Spectra hired a new manager and it was his idea to save money.

Brent

[Cotton]

I apologize...I put this post of questions in the wrong spot...;)



Hello...I need some input on a 77 Spectra 20 Jet I'm considering. I have been doing lots of research and I've heard conflicting stories about this year of Spectra. Some say that these hulls are NOT full-stringer, and that they're only half-stringer hulls...some say "YES" I've seen non-restored 77 Spectra Jet Boats that had full-stringers. Why are full-stringers...other than strength...really needed? Can non-full-stringer hulls be retro-fitted to full-stringers? Is it worth it?-----The 77 Spectra 20 Jet I found is clean and I figure if it's lasted this long without full-stringers...it must be strong enough???? Please give me your input about ALL this...I'm just wanting a good ole' family jet boat

[SPECTRABRENT]

If I were looking for a project Spectra 20 jet it would be 71-74 unless
the gelcoat & woodgrain were perfect. You can always add stringers.

Brent

[Cotton]

Hi, Brent,-----This 77 Spectra Jet is actually ready to go and in real good shape...doesn't need much.---Do you have any idea how much it would be to add stringers? Who would be the one to go to...to have it done?

Thanks again!


If I were looking for a project Spectra 20 jet it would be 71-74 unless
the gelcoat & woodgrain were perfect. You can always add stringers.

Brent

[SPECTRABRENT]

I bet it would be around $2,000.00.
If you do it, do four full stringers and a full bulkhead to support the deck.

Brent