help with new deck

[rsimmons42]

I have removed my old deck, pretty rotten in areas and checked the stingers, surprisingly all were in goo shap. Also checked the Transom, great shap. I have the new piece cut and resined on lower side when I lay it in I notice that there are spots where there is a gap from deck to stringer of 1/2" or less. do I need to build these up to screw the deck into or can I add a piece to the deck. I removed wet foam. Does the foam support the floor in some areas. Do I need to resin top deck first so that it soaks up the resin, then come back to glass in?

Please advise me as this is my first deck

 

[92excel]

Re: help with new deck

You said you checked the stringers and they are good.. how did you check them? if you did not do a core sample then you did not check them good enough.. you have to drill in and see if the core is solid.. Having soaked foam i would assume that the stringers will need to be replaced as well as the transom.. but you can only know for sure with proper core samples.

 

[92excel]

Re: help with new deck

I removed wet foam. Does the foam support the floor in some areas.

The foam does not support the deck(floor) though depending on your boat it could provide structre for the hull.

If the foam filling every little nook then it could be structural .. if it loose blocked foam then its definetly not structural.

 

[rsimmons42]

Re: help with new deck

92 excel,

thanks for the info, i did do a few core samples in areas that were of concern all checked well. as far as the wet foam the foam was not soaked, there was about 1/4 of a inch of water in three of the domes. I feel pretty confident in the fact that the stringers will be alright.

Do I need to screw the deck to stringers. I added a cross beam in one area in the back.

The floor was rotten from builders not doing a good job of resining the bottom of the deck.

The deck where the floor looks wet is a oil spill.

this is with the deck out, you will notice the small doams of foam, it cleaned up alot better than it looks in this photo, but it is too dark to take a decent photo of it cleaned right now.

 

[redfury]

Re: help with new deck

Wow, not much foam in there from the factory. Seems like they poured it in to make air tight areas to keep the boat afloat?

You can use subfloor adhesive on the stringers to fill the gap between them and the deck if you can lay a bead and then lay the deck down without screwing up the adhesive. Might want to put the beads of adhesive on, and then let them set up a little, then put the deck on and screw it down. The adhesive will help hold the deck and get rid of those gaps at the same time.

After the deck is down, coat the top of the deck with resin, then lay fiberglass down onto the deck and 3-6" up the sides of the boat to secure it to the hull for structural integrity and to prevent water seepage past the edges of the deck.

 

[rsimmons42]

Re: help with new deck

i'm not familiar with 'sub floor adhesive' Is this a item that I can buy at Lowes? Do you think that I should fill the cavitys with foam this time. Cut relief holes and pour the two part in after I mount the deck.

 

[92excel]

Re: help with new deck

Do I need to screw the deck to stringers.

No need to glue down the deck though some do.. it wont hurt. What most do is wet out the stringers and lay the deck down.

Yes you should screw the deck to the stringers with stainless steel screws.
Before that, you should pre drill the hole.. fill it with resin or epoxy counter sink your screw then fill in the screw head with resin or epoxy.

you want to fill the gaps around the edges with thickened resin or epoxy, search peanut butter.

tab in the deck and cover the entire deck with a few layers of cloth.
paint or gelcoat and add carpet if you choose.

 

[92excel]

Re: help with new deck

i'm not familiar with 'sub floor adhesive' Is this a item that I can buy at Lowes? Do you think that I should fill the cavitys with foam this time. Cut relief holes and pour the two part in after I mount the deck.

ALot of people recommend PL adhesive. Yes it can be found at the big box stores.

As far as foam thats up to you.. some say its the main reason your stringers rot.. others say its a life saver .. if you choose to use it, there is a good post that has step by step instructions.. search fuzzy wiggler