I hope this goes here . I've seen and read about 7/8" and 1" stringers and of course the common 1 1/2" . As a carpenter I have my opinions on how and where wood gets it strength and weaknesses . I've seen many circle race hulls with the 1" stringers and wondered about the beating any race hull takes and there life expectancy . I realize race hulls aslo have a life span and maybe thats the reason they are built with just enough meat . Am I missing something ?

-beerjet-

i think you hit the nail on the head (race boat=short life) the weight of the 2 is probably the reason for the different size stringers. what do i know

The only other Saguaro I've ever seen has the 1" stringers in it (ex race boat) , and I remember when Lil Rick got rid of his D'Cucci (race boat) there was alot of cacklin goin on about retiring the boat since some of the hardware was damaged and it was just signs of the hull being in bad shape from years of racing . I thought to myself Maybe the weight savings of the 1" stringers arent such a good Idea in the long run .

-beerjet-

the type of wood counts as well. like a 7/8 mahogany would probably be more stable then a 1-1/2 fir stringer.

Thats what I was told by Harry Christianson (Advantage Boats in AZ) told me 15 years ago, typically if a boat runs full length 7/8" or 1" stringers they are constructed of kiln dried "clear" lumber of Ash, Mohogany, or even Oak. when 1-1/2" is used its more than likely going to be Dried Fir, the strength is probably about equal, but if you can save weight its like more horsepower.

Old school thinking was you would save weight with 1" stringers. Fact be known if you weighed it out the difference was minimal (save more by putting the driver on a diet).  My own sence was that you got better bonding of the glass to the wood with a softer wood like fur rather than a hardwood like oak.  Oily woods were a no-no. Nowdays I would get rid of the lumber entirely and use a laminated glass I-beam with carbon top and bottom cap strips. More money but stronger, lighter, stiffer and water wont bother it.