Best way to check stringers while engine is out?
 

Just took the engine out of the boat a few weeks ago and I'm going to have a new one built with quite a bit more power as mine was the 330hp 7.4 stock motor on my 272, I wanted just to verify that my stringers are still in good shape since it's a 1996. What is the best way to verify? they look good but I didn't know exactly what the correct was to verify that they are nice and strong? Since I have the engine out wouldn't hurt to do this. Any help would greatly be appreciated thanks!

If your not confident yourself find someone with a good reputation to check it out as well as the transom. Your prob OK but it pays to be safe...

Tap on them with a brass hammer or the end of a plastic screwdriver. Listen for a loud rap, not a dull thud, or listen for tone changes as your tapping.

a hard plastic hammer is great...just listen as said

as stated tap with a screwdriver handle ...you can tell from solid and not solid ...if you find a suspect spot you can drill a hole (1/4-3/8) and it will show if there is moisture/rot ...m