---

I think we need to define what a restoration is. Please show me one of these foam gutting projects that has ever resulted in a restored Whaler.

cabingas, if I found myself with the deck cut out & the foam removed I wouldn't use a stringer system. you would be introducing pressure points that shouldn't be there.

I would build in my backer wood and have it all foamed in before I laid the deck back on. One reason for this is because foam will distort your inner & outer skins, and you don't want to distort the hull.

Fair & seal this backer/foam creation and lay the deck skin down with waterproof mastic, and glass in the perimeter.