Putting in a new deck

[Otter0575]

I have a project boat I picked up for 300 dollars. The previous owners noticed soft spots so they took plywood and simply screwed it to the deck. I took it off and figured on putting on a new deck but don't want to put much money in. I figured on putting in pressure treated that was coated with epoxy. I am looking to get maybe three years out of this fix, my question is has any one done this and gotten away with it. I would hate to spend money for a boat that we plan on junking in three years or less. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[amidaeus]

Re: Putting in a new deck

Please use the search tool. You will find more than enough posts on the subject.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Putting in a new deck

Also pressure treated is not the best for this application and when you glass the stringers in you will be trapping moisture. There are some great posts on what wood, epoxy, fiberglass, and plywood to use. I just completed a 250.00 boat with a new deck. No transom, just a new deck and have about another 250.00 in it. Wife not real happy with my "bargain" but the V bottom sure rides a lot smoother than the flat bottom at 25mph.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Putting in a new deck

I'm re-doing the deck in my boat as well and went and talked to probably 10 or so wood experts and they have all told me with just pressure treated wood I can expect 15 years or so out of the floor. Once I mentioned it was for a boat they said there are no worries at all about using pressure treated wood and is my best bet for the application. The only problem occurs when you cut the wood, then you need to use PT solution on the edges or coat with resin. I'm also thinking that coating the underside of the wood maybe be a good choice incase the hull fills up with water, will just add some extra insurance.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Putting in a new deck

The problem with pressure treated wood is that unless it has been completely dried out, resin won't stick to it for long. Unless you can get pressure treated wood that has been dried (not easy), you will be better off with standard marine ply or exterior grade AC ply. You can seal the non-pressurized ply with resin and be just fine.<br /><br />If you think about it, the original wood lasted for 2-3 decades, and was not sealed well. It was usually just regular wood and ply, nothing special. Those of use who have rebuilt our boats with regular wood and sealed it well can count on AT LEAST 2-3 more decades.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Putting in a new deck

Good point, and I guess the cost savings on the plywood helps out as well. My one concern is, how much expoxy resing do you need to coat a floor and be able to do stringers as well? I'm having a really tough time deciding how much to get.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Putting in a new deck

On my 15 ft. I used two gallons of resin/hardender at 25.00/gallon. Used 7 pkgs of 9sq ft fiberglass cloth. I put two coats of resin on the underside of my plywood and two coats on top except where I fiberglassed my seats in and the edges where the plywood met the hull. The fiberglass cloth was also used on the new stringers. the glass cloth was 6.00 a bag. All purchased at Lowe's