Replacing my decking HELP!!! Wood Choices???

[ljenkins2]

Hi, I have 1979 Privateer C/C and am replacing the fuel tank. After replacing the tank (under the console and decking) I have a couple questions on the type of wood I should use and am having trouble finding the clear answer beings it seems this is always a big debate.
Decking... Standard exterior plywood or marine? I will be putting resign on the entire patch and glassing the seams then painting over the entire deck after the project is complete.
Ribs over the tank (between the stringers)? Treated or standard and Should I coat these in resign or glass also?
Screws to hold it all together, Are deckmates sufficient? or should I order some type of stainless wood screw?
I am planning on keeping the boat at least another 5 yrs.
Any other tips on aluminum tank replacement would be apprieciated... Lee

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Replacing my decking HELP!!! Wood Choices???

Exterior grade wood is fine. Some like marine. Marine is just better quality wood with fewer voids, the glue is the same, and marine is not treated, which is a common mistake. As long as you're sealing it you'll be fine. If you aren't going to use fiberglass on the whole patch, I would recommend epoxy resin. Poly resin tends to crack if it's not accompanied by glass. Don't worry about the debate, do whichever you want, sealing it is the most important part. I'm not familiar with deckmates, but bona fide exterior deck screws should be fine. For the ribs over the tank, you can use treated, but some have had adhesion problems with resin over treated wood unless the wood has ample time to dry out. I'm a believer in coating with resin, so I'd do standard wood with a couple coats of resin. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[ljenkins2]

Re: Replacing my decking HELP!!! Wood Choices???

Thanks for the input!

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Replacing my decking HELP!!! Wood Choices???

edited my first post, might want to re-read.