Materials for Deck Replacecment

[BigBoatinOkie]

Howdy. I'm getting ready to replace the deck in my 18 ft. Wellcraft bowrider. I am tryng to get a list of materials together and get them ordered as I don't have a local source for marine supplies. I'd appreciate any help with the following:

1. How much resin and hardener should I need?
2. Epoxy or Poly for the deck?
3. How much and what type or types or glass do I need.(woven, biax, mat) and which ones go where.
4. Should I screw the deck down or glue it?
5. Is there any other material that I need to order besides plywood, glass, resin. I can get rollers and pails and stuff locally.

Obviously I don't expect yall to know exactly the amount I need for my project, but a ballpark estimate will get me going. I've read a billion posts on this very subject, enough to get me thoroughly counfused. Just need a little help getting started. As soon as I get my materials nailed down, I'll start tearing into it and post some pics and stuff. I'm ready to rock n' roll. Got a week off coming up, should get a lot of the demo done then. Thanks for any help.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Materials for Deck Replacecment

anyone.....anyone.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Materials for Deck Replacecment

This question has been asked and anwered many,many times. Use the search function and do a little digging around and you will find what you are looking for...

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Materials for Deck Replacecment

Thanks. I've read many posts, I guess I've just missed where folks have said how much material it took. I get a little frustrated reading through these posts and just start looking at pictures sometimes. I'll re-read and find the answers. Thought maybe some one who has recently done a deck could just say they ended up using x amount of resin and x yards of glass. I just use the computer at work so I can't spend a lot of time on the forum at a time. I'll get 'er figured out.

 

[Robert4Winns]

Re: Materials for Deck Replacecment

You may want to at least start your demo first. It could reveal additional damage that will require more material. Then, while you are grinding, your order can be shipping.

I have not completed a job like this and am no expert, but will share my thoughts. If it is just the deck, you should be able to measure it to get a pretty close estimate of how much fiberglass you need. Draw out your deck on paper and figure out how many yards it will take to cover it with a glass of a given width, i.e. 38? or 50?, but don?t count on using the cut-off scraps. Based on what I have read, you should only need one layer of glass on the top of the deck. I?ve heard people using 6 oz. or 9 oz. You can put a layer on the underside as well, but don't necessarily have to. You can also measure the perimeter of the deck and the joints to estimate how much tape you need, probably biax. I don?t know how many layers of tape you should use, but you can make that decision based on what others have done on this forum; maybe 2-3 layers at the deck/hull joint.

The amount of resin it will take is more difficult. Based on how much glass you come up with you can then calculate how much resin it will take to wet out based on the weight of the glass. The supplier should be able to tell you, or have on their website, the amount of resin it takes to wet out a square foot of a given weight of glass, but get extra because you will need to seal the wood with it also. If you are also going to use thickened epoxy to bond the deck to the stringers you will need more epoxy and a thickener such as wood flour. How much it will take I can?t tell you. It will obviously depend on the size of various gaps you are filling. You could also use PL Premium or screws to attach the deck. People will have differing opinions on the best way to do it, but for my boat I do not like the idea of using screws.

The epoxy vs poly question depends on your budget and how you intend to finish the deck. From what I have read, epoxy bonds better, is stronger and more waterproof, does not have the noxious fumes that poly does, and is generally easier to work with. However, it is more expensive and you cannot gelcoat over it. Some people have strong opinions on this issue. Either way, as an inexperienced DIYer, it is easier to buy the resin and hardener together as a kit.

If you post your plan and what you intend to order, you may get some replies as to whether the amount you intend to order is sufficient. People on this forum also like pictures. The supplier may also be able to help you with estimates of what you need.

Good luck with your project.