replacing the deck on a budget

[jvb]

i am buying an 81 glastron that needs a new deck at some point soon. i am getting this for pretty cheap, and dont expect to have it forever. what sort of life expectancy can i expect if i do not glass the new plywood deck? i am thinking about just using treated plywood with outdoor carpeting. it seems that i should expect a couple good years. <br /><br />i am also considering using exterior plywood and coating it with CPES from: http://www.rotdoctor.com/products/cpes.html <br /><br />it seems that the CPES stuff will be easier and cheaper than fiberglass. also, the company claims it will seal the wood better than fiberglass since the resin is carried into the wood rather than jsut being a layer on top of the wood.<br /><br />any thoughts on installing a new deck on a tight budget?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: replacing the deck on a budget

The problem is not the rotten deck, its the rotten stringers under it. Normally the deck is just an indication of what you find in the rest of the boat. Look it over very close. <br />Sorry but the fix most likely won't be easy or cheap.

 

[jvb]

Re: replacing the deck on a budget

the floor is actually not too bad... no soft spots for the most part. there are a couple places that the plyoowd has rotted through, but the stingers dont look terrible (at least where i can see)<br /><br />how long would treated plywood last without fiberglass?

 

[agitator]

Re: replacing the deck on a budget

I have used a lot of 3/4" treated plywood in wet applications such as pumphouse floors, outside decks etc. and it has lasted for years without any significant deterioriation. I would not hesitate to use it in boating applications if were the proper thickness for the job to be done and its not necessarily very pretty. It can be glassed quite satisfactorily if properly dried. Drying it thoroughly is a key necessity when glassing.

 

[jvb]

Re: replacing the deck on a budget

drying it correctly seems to be the problem. resin and moisture do not mix. but, why bother? if we are relying on the glass to seal the wood, why not just use untreated wood?<br /><br />from looking at the bad wood in the boat, it looks like they used 5/8" or 3/4" untreated wood. the boat is 25 yrs old, so it must hold up...<br /><br />any thoughts on the CPES resin?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: replacing the deck on a budget

If the stringers are good and you just need it to last for a couple of years, CDX ply will hold up that long. Don't seal it up tight, let some air flow around it, so it can dry out when not in use.<br />Carpet will make it rot faster, it will never dry out with rubber backed carpet over it.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: replacing the deck on a budget

I have never used CPES resin.

 

[tengals123]

Re: replacing the deck on a budget

why don't you just resin it in epoxy or if you cant afford, poly resin. Obviously cut the floor first then resin. I really hope your not going into open water with this boat.<br /><br />cheers<br /><br />cheers

 

[MercMark]

Re: replacing the deck on a budget

Originally posted by tengals123:<br /> why don't you just resin it in epoxy or if you cant afford, poly resin. Obviously cut the floor first then resin. I really hope your not going into open water with this boat.<br /><br />cheers<br /><br />cheers

open water? isn't all water open water. Most people can see farther than they can swim. Safety first. Do some serious investigations. Be sure your stingers are good.

 

[fireman57]

Re: replacing the deck on a budget

I can't believe you are talking about boats and a budget in the same sentence. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHHHHH!

 

[jvb]

Re: replacing the deck on a budget

yeah, budget and boats - i know i know...<br /><br />it just seems that since glastron didnt go nuts over the deck, and the boat has held up for nearly 25 years, is it really THAT big of a deal? this is just a starter boat, just for some fishing and tubing. i cant see keeping it for more than a few years so I dont see the sense in re-building it to last forever. i think i may try that CPES stuff on plywood and see what happens...