Installing 3/4 in. casting deck

[dano1215]

Hi everyone,
I have a 16'6" ft. sea nymph. I have removed the center bench and have ran aluminum stringers for the flooring supports and structural stength.My question is about building a front casting deck using the 2 front bench seats as support.Iam using 3/4 in. on all.Should I also use stringers between the 2 seats or will 3/4 in. plywood be sufficient.Iam really starting to worry about wieght.I have a 25 hp. that is going on it. Any input will be helpful.

Thank you

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Installing 3/4 in. casting deck

Hi dano. You'll probably be fine without adding extra supports, but if you're worried you can fab some out of 2" x 2" stock and/or 1/8" aluminum angle. Make sure you only use NON-Pressure Treated wood, then seal it with epoxy, oil based exterior paint, or spar urethane and attach it to the hull using stainless steel hardware dipped in a bit of 3M 5200 marine caulk. You can get everything you need at lowes/HD.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Installing 3/4 in. casting deck

Non treated 3/4" plywood weighs approx. 75 lbs. per 4'x8' sheet, pine might be a little heavier and fir will be a little lighter.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Installing 3/4 in. casting deck

You should be good with the 3/4" ply as long as your not cutting out hatches in it. If you can find it, get some marine ply, it has 7 layers and is very strong compared to the standard 4 ply AT. I would cut it to fit and then stand on it first before screwing it down. If it sags, creaks or seems weak then I would just use some of the remaining sheet to make an "I" beam to support underneath the center of the span.

 

[73Chrysler105]

Re: Installing 3/4 in. casting deck

The Auruco plywood at Home Depot is also 7 layers and exterior glue is used and 1/3 the cost of Marine Plywood.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Installing 3/4 in. casting deck

+1. Aurco is good stuff if you can get it. As a matter of fact, you can get just about everything except the epoxy from HD. Gotta love those tinnies

 

[89trackerpro17]

Re: Installing 3/4 in. casting deck

+1. Aurco is good stuff if you can get it. As a matter of fact, you can get just about everything except the epoxy from HD. Gotta love those tinnies

for epoxy a good place is us compostites.