Replacing Sundeck/Motor Cover

[texsun]

My Sundeck/Motor Cover on my 96Larson 174 SEI rotted at the rear hinge area. I removed the upholstery last night and will build a new deck out of 3/4 exterior plywood. The plywood from the factory seems to have some kind of varnish on it, kind of a mahogany color. Is this a wood sealer? Can some one tell me what that might be and should I reapply? <br /><br />Mark

 

[Omega-1]

Re: Replacing Sundeck/Motor Cover

Texsun,<br />The color on the old wood is probably a sealant or resin coat. If you do the repairs with exterior grade plywood, in about five or so years you will probably be replacing this wood again. Dry rot is usually caused from freshwater repeadedly caught in the wood, which is prevented from ventilating and drying out. You may be able to get more mileage out of your repairs if you use marine grade plywood, then coat all surfaces with a marine grade epoxy resin. Let the resin coat cure, then at any site where you must penetrate the wood with fasteners, place a marine grade sealant (silacone or polyurethane) into the hole if at all possible to prevent water from seeping into the wood. Good luck, be safe!