Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

[imported_John_Galt]

I removed the rotting plywood deck on my 18 y/o Celebrity 181 last fall and planned to start redecking this spring. It looks pretty bad to me as a novice boat repairman :| I have attached pictures of what I am looking at.

I need some advice/suggestions. Here are all my questions as of now:

1. Do I need to remove the foam and replace it? (I have looked for pricing on foam and it seams to be SUPER expensive- like $100. for 2 cu' ft'. AM I looking at the right stuff?

2. How to cut Resin edges from oild deck? Will a Dremel too work?

3. Do I need to replace the stringers or can I repir them or sandwich them between new 1/4 inch or 1/2 in plywood(will this make the boat much heavier?

4. If repairinf existing stringers can I simply use epoxy or poly resin to fill damage or do I need cloth and fiberglass(that I have never worked with before).

5. New Deck - Is marine ply codeed with epoxy and carpeted an ok way to go? WHat are the best methods?

6. Gas tank repair. I need 3 0r 4 brackets welded onto the gas tank to hold it up off of the hull.
Is therea better way (sreaps of some sort) or how do I find a reputable welder who can work with aluminum?


Please review and advise. I would like to keep an open thread as I work thru this project and hope someone will stick with me until the bitter end as I know I will end up with a million more small questions.

Thanks

John

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

Attempt to reattach pictures. Not sure why they do not display.

 

[dakk1]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

Hey John,

Your pictures may be attached, As you probably hve noticed, the site is having some difficulty due to an upgrade. Hang tight.

Dave

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

Well that failed.
To see pictures please go to the following site:

http://www.mctradingcompany.com/boat/boat.htm

Thanks

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

Dave,

Thanks for the info.
I am relatively new hre and did not know there was an upgrade.
I posted a picture page link anyway, incase the pics don't show.
Thanks again
John

 

[dakk1]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

Yeah, that looks pretty bad. I replaced the floor on my Stratos Fish and Ski, so my comments are based on my experience. Others will join in as they are able.

1 Looks like you need foam, but as I didn't , I don't know the cost.
2 Yes, a dremel would be a good choice, I used a wood chisel. Not fun.
3 I can't really tell from the pictures much about your stringers. Mine only had a little surface rot on the top edges and I just removed that and glassed over them.
4 Would depend on the condition as stated.
5 Yes, that is what I did. Some folks don't like carpet though and you could go with non skid finish or whatever. There is even a thread going about Rhino Liner.
6 My gas tank, which I removed while working, was just strapped down to some reinforced stringers.

Maybe this will get you started. There are lot of good folks here that will help. Good Luck.

Dave

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

Dave

Thanks for getting the ball rolling. I hope to hear from more folks.

Did you screw down your deck? Mu priginal deck had stainelss steel screwws in it and the edges were glassed all the way around. I assume I will do the same thing but other posts here have scared me about screwwing it down and pulling skiers. Will it be trong enough so as not to crack the hull?

As for the stringers some are ok som are bad news. They are protty wet too. Is there any good links to learn how to glass over the existing ones or add new ones?

The tank cpould be strapped I guess but my concern is bouncing on the hull. How do I get it tight enough so it won't be a problem.

John

 

[dakk1]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

John

After reading your description, more than likely your going to have to replace some, if not all of the stringers. Use the search feature at the top of the page under boating forums, that will take you to much good information assuming it's working.
I did screw my floor down and glassed it in. Once cured, you shoudn't have any worries assuming you take care of your stringer issues.
As for the gas tank, mine is metal straps secured to the reinforced stringers with stainless screws. They are tight and I have not experienced any problems. Keep posting your progress.

Dave

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

Dave

How the straps applied? Are they across the top of the tank and secured to the stringers? What is the gauge of the metal straps(if metal)? Are they rigi or pliable material?

John

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

John, If the foam is saturated with water, you need to dig it out and replace it. Look for the best price on 2 part foam, it is a bit expensive, but not as bad as you quoted. If the stringers are rotted, you need to cut out the rot and replace their strength. I would use dry pressure treated solid lumber of the same size as the original, and mechanically fasten (brass or stainless screws or bolts) it to the original stringers that are still good. Also glass it to the hull, epoxy is best here. When you go to replace the floor, use dry 1/2 pressure treated CDX plywood. After you have fitted it, lay some poly resin saturated cloth over the stringers and other places you plan to attach it, and drive some stainless screws through the floor into the stringers. Now cover the entire floor with two layers of light cloth or one layer of heavy cloth. Poly resin is OK for this step. You might like to seal the plywood on all sides with poly resin as well.

 

[sdunt]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

If you want to use polyester (fiberglass) resin to seal your plywood floor, you should use some kind of a mat, 3/4 oz or thinner, I have heard of veil mat. Poly by itself won't stay on the plywood for the long haul.

Check out US composites for Epoxy and ployester resin supplies.

Thin clothe would be 5 to 7 oz, thick is 10 oz or roven woving material.

You can and will use epoxy and polyester to 'glass' things in. Epoxy is a better glue than poly, but poly is cheaper and IMHO easier to work with. Mixing Poly is not as exacting as Epoxy.

Marine and A/C exterior ply are similar, CDX is problematic because it can contain interior voids that will hold water.

You might get the book Runabout renovation by jim anderson
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071580085/ref=sr_11_1/102-7365856-8065723?ie=UTF8

This book will walk you through alot of the rebuild process. Also read many of the shareaproject files and you'll learn alot

Good luck

 

[dakk1]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

John

Sorry for the absence. I've been fighting an HVAC problem for a few days. Yes, the metal straps are across the top of the gas tank and they are secured to the stringers. They are somewhat pliable. I'm not sure about the gauge.

Dave

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

I will go with they Marine ply. I like Dave's idea of screwing and silconing the screw holes even though when I resin over it it should not need it but I think I will go for the "Forever Floor"

Dave, I have decded on 3/4 heavy gauge angle iron(l shaped). I will use for pieces about 8 in long each for the tank straps.


I am still al itlle unclear (read thick headed) on the epoxy, poly and resin. Is epoxy used stand-alone for filling gaps and coating the edges of my plywood and for coating the tops of the stringers before placing the Plywood on top of them?


The resin is used to coat the Poly covered plywood deck?

Also - do I cut holes in deck when done to get the foan in under the deck? Do I need a breather hole if I do this?

Thanks all
John

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181 - MAKING PROGRESS!!!

Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181 - MAKING PROGRESS!!!

I have completed the ear out and have bgun fabricating my stringers. So far so good.

Check out my updated photos at:

www.mctradingcompany.com/boat/boat.htm

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

John,

Poly and epoxy are two differnet types of resin. You'll want to use the resin (either one) on the plywood let it soak in for a day without any fiberglass. This is so when you do lay the fiberglass, the resin you put on stays in the fiberglass and is not absorbed by the plywood.

You'll want to do the same with your stringers, resin, the glass them in with more resin.

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: Re-decking 1988 Celebrity 181

John,

I have question on foam.

Do I foam before I deck or do I cut plugs and pour 2 part foam after deck is installed and anchored?