Stringer Composition on a 1999 Viper Cobra 201d

Hi fellows, I have a 1999 201d that I had a couple of questions on.
1) I know that the transom is wood on it, based on when I changed out the splash well fittings for new ones. I also know that the floor is some sort of fiberglass foam, based on when I pulled and replaced the carpet with SRS E-tuff envirogrip (liquid rubber flooring - looks awesome by the way). I could tell the composition of the floor when I took the floor drain out up front. So, I have a wood transom and a fiberglass encased foam floor. What are the stringers made out of on the 1999 snakes? Not having any problems, but I just am curious, because the man I bought the boat from back in 2012 was under the impression that it was all composite, which it is not (at least the transom is not). So - what did they use for the structural stringers in 1999?

2) In tip top shape with a low hour 1999 Yamaha 225 on it (EFI - 0X66), what is the boat worth? Everything is in really good shape on it ($1,000 worth of rubberized flooring/hatches, etc), new Lowrance Elite HDI's in front and rear, and new disk brakes and actuator as well.

3) Last question - Given the choice of selling my snake to my buddy, and buying another buddies 2001 Skeeter ZX225 (which is a really nice rig) or keeping my snake (which I love), which way would you guys advise me go? Just curious on that one and wanted some opinions on quality comparisons between the two boats.

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Your stringers are wood encapsulated with fiberglass and they attached into the transom for added strength and durability of both the stringers and transom. The Coosa model of a Viper Cobra-all composite-didn't come out until 2001. As for what your boat might be worth you can go to "NADA-used boats" and look up Viper Boats Inc. to determine what it might currently be worth. (The price that NADA will show will included the trailer...but not the '99 225 Yammy, which you can find out the price for in NADA outboard engines. As for your last question it's hard to answer because it depends on what you're looking for. Personally, if all things are equal, and at this stage of the game I would opt for the Skeeter only because Viper Cobra has been out of business since 2006...however, having said that it wouldn't have anything to do with construction or fit and finish. I have seen many Cobra's come thru the factory and I can tell you they were built like the Rock of Gibraltor.

Who done the flooring in ur 201? Also what did it cost. Thx

It's all wood until the composite builds came out in the next buyout with the new coosa model.

Moose288, I redid the carpet myself...I did not REPLACE the floors. I pulled the carpet and put rubber nonskid in. arjone01, I don't know on the stringers, which is why I started the thread. However, the floor in this boat IS NOT wood. It is fiberglass encased foam. I know this because when I redid the carpet, I checked it along with a fiberglass repair shop, in three places on the floor itself. So, with all due respect, it is not ALL wood...at least not the floor. The transom definitely IS wood. The stringers I had no idea about, thus the thread. The floors...now they are NOT wood but fiberglass encased closed cell foam. Thanks for the replies and I hope that helps.

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Originally Posted by Heath90

Moose288, I redid the carpet myself...I did not REPLACE the floors. I pulled the carpet and put rubber nonskid in. arjone01, I don't know on the stringers, which is why I started the thread. However, the floor in this boat IS NOT wood. It is fiberglass encased foam. I know this because when I redid the carpet, I checked it along with a fiberglass repair shop, in three places on the floor itself. So, with all due respect, it is not ALL wood...at least not the floor. The transom definitely IS wood. The stringers I had no idea about, thus the thread. The floors...now they are NOT wood but fiberglass encased closed cell foam. Thanks for the replies and I hope that helps.

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That's good that you know yours is that material, but I've cut a section out of the floor of my 99' to replace from water intrusion from the hotfoot. Just pop the blidge vents and it'll tell you whatever you have. I've got 1/2" marine plywood. Also cut my recessed tray in for my TM and starred right at 3/4" marine plywood that I had to treat and seal before installing the tray permanently. Also had to replace foam in a battery compartment area from leaking battery compartment trays in a 98' 201 and they built them all the same until the first closeout/buyout into the next company. The stringers are wood. I know for a fact everything structural in the boat such as stringers and transom is wood. May want to check that again, it IS fiberglass encapsulated wood with foam underneath in the cavities or at least was in my 99' and the bidlge floors of the 98' 201 when I cut that all out.

The product you're referring to is Nadicore or a like material. It'd be worth popping your vents and taking a second look to make sure.

But to answer your question about the stingers, you got your answer from one of the men who worked for Cobra (Larry). It's wood encapsulated with fiberglass. He gave you your answer.

Thanks for the reply arjone01. Yes, I am familiar with Nidacore and have used it in boats i have repaired in the past. This almost looks more like Coosa board than it does the honeycomb of Nidacore, but it definitely does not have the density of Coosa board. I am sure its a composite of some sort in the floor, as was the transom repair shop I had take a look while I had it apart. Yes, the transom is definitely wood (I had no questions on that). Larry and I emailed back and forth regarding the stringers. He was very helpful and kind to take his time to do that. I am not having any problems at all with the boat. I was just wondering for the sake of curiosity. Thanks for taking your time to interact with me on this, arjone01. Kind regards, Heath

I like the non skid btw. Looks better with the trimmed edging around the edge of the lids than just going to the edges with the texture.

It's always good to know what you have. Do you know if you're was one of the factory defect replaced top cap or the original? Wonder if it is something that changed during a replacement?

Thanks. I used a material from SRS Coatings out of Texas called Envirogrip. It is a two part rubber membrane that you allow to set almost completely up then you put non-skid into it. Once it cures 24 hours, you put a two part polyurethane top coat over the membrane to seal it and give you a wear surface. It wasn't cheap but I really like it. I put the edging on it for looks and also because I was afraid the lids would bite into the fiberglass and mess it up if I didn't. Cost me about $850 for the materials and a heap of work, but it was worth it. If you ever want to do that sort of thing, I researched it pretty well and would be glad to pass along what I found from it if it saves you time and effort.

Haha, that's nice! But that is a price tag! This debt ridden teacher will stick to carpet for now. Plus I just did a restoration on this one within the last few years and I have two more jobs to do this spring so I will have to pass this time. That would be a nice floor for fishing brackish water. Sharp cobra!

Thanks, bro. I like it, but if I had known when I started that it would be so much work, I think mine would have carpet in it today too :-)

But yours will last twice the amount of time as carpet. When I'm redoing mine again in 4 years you'll be sipping on an fruity drink (non alcoholic, preacher ;) while I'm sweatin' it out. The. You'll be thankful lol.

Well, fair enough then :-)