2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

[cloning11]

After years of waiting, I finally bought my first boat this year - a 2003 Lund WC 14' with a Shoreland'r trailer. While I am quite happy with it, I would like the ability of a flat surface to walk on, so I will try to add a deck.

I unscrewed the factory wood from the bench seating and found the measurement to be 5/8". I purchased three sheets of marine-grade plywood from a local lumberyard. I also bought 35' 3/16 angle aluminum from a local store for structural reinforcement.

I will post pictures and details of my progress as I go through the process and take over the family garage, leaving my wife with nowhere to park [she's the typist].

Please give advice as I go in case I'm missing something I should be doing, not sealing something, making something structurally unsound, or if you've found an easier way of doing it.

 

[cloning11]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

Here are some pictures of the inside of the boat. My plan is to run a deck in the rear from bench seat to bench seat and from the middle bench seat to the front, leaving a small area without deck. Here are some pictures of what I have to work with.

Unfortunately, the bow has no braces or brackets to run the plywood up to as I've seen in some other Lunds, but I will deal with it when I get there.

 

[cloning11]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

I laid the two wooden bench seats out on a 4x8 piece of plywood, measured the space in between the boat from bench seat to bench seat, and came up with a gap of 28 1/2 inches.

I superimposed the gap in between the two pieces of wood, did a trace on the outside, and cut the wood. I sanded the cut edges and then installed it into the boat. With a pencil I traced the aluminum angle lip (which you can see in the picture). I used a router to cut 3/16 out of the traced angle (see pic with my finger pointing at it). I sanded and refit. It seems to slide in much easier now and I can only assume will be easier to install with carpet. I then decided to add a rear lid so I can get my gas tank in and out.

Does anyone think it was a mistake to route the 3/16 out for an easier fit?

I bought marine-grade plywood with the assumption that it did not need sealed. After reading different forums on here, I'm getting the impression I need to buy some Gluvit to seal the wood. Am I correct?

I will be reinforcing the deck with 3/16 aluminum angle and I should have some pictures tomorrow.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

Looks pretty good. I don't think you made a mistake buying marine ply since it's more rigid than normal plywood,,, and you are working on a new boat. The 3/16 routed area's, were the original parts like this? Are the routed area's going to cause the deck ply to lay weird when it's screwed down?

You'll want to epoxy (not gluvit) all surfaces of the wood, screw holes and make sure the edges are sealed well. You could also poly resin/cloth, oil paint, etc.,,, the wood, but since this is a new boat, epoxy would be best, last the longest. After epoxying, paint it the color of your choice, Rhino Liner would look cool.

My buddy replaced the wood on his Lund like you are and it looked awesome,,, for a few years. He used spar varnish and after a few years the wood looked like crap. One of those, pay now or pay later type things.

With high decking the boat, mock up front deck temporarily, haul it to the lake and see if it's stable. Standing that high up could throw off the center of gravity, better to find out before everything is finished up.

 

[cloning11]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

re: Fishrdan

The original wood seats did not have any thing routed out. I did this because I'm going to carpet it. I was assuming the wood with the carpet would not fit since it was such a tight fit with just the wood.

The carpet I plan on getting shows a measurement of 5/16 thick 6' by 18' and includes carpet & glue for around $130. My guess is after the carpet is smashed down & up under the angle brace it should fill in the missing 3/16. My main worry was too much of an outward bow on the angle that's factory pop riveted to the side of the boat (I don't want to create any loose pop rivets). I didn't want to squeeze both under the angle if that would even be possible.

You say I need an epoxy (but not gluvit) why is that? Gluvit, from what I read, is an epoxy and is made for fiberglass, wood, aluminum. If not gluvit then what would you recommend? Have you had problems with gluvit?

I think your idea of testing it for stability is a great idea. I will have a test run as soon as I pop rivet a couple of aluminum angle in place to hold up the middle and front deck.

 

[cloning11]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

The first and second pictures show structural reinforcement for the rear deck. In the first picture, I routed 3/16 3/4" deep and liquid nailed the aluminum angle that had been notched out so it can slide into place. At the front of this board on the bottom, 3/16 was routed out 1 1/2" deep to allow for the front reinforcement angle.

Pictures three and four show me adding aluminum angles to the side of the existing benchseats by way of pop rivet for stability for what will be a hatch. If you look closely at picture four, I left 3/4 of the aluminum angle going from side to side for stability on the hatch (still looking for inexpensive piano hinge).

Picture five: what I have so far.

Constructive criticism welcome.

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

Nice project. I picked up a 3' Stainless piano hinge from wholesalemarine.com for about $22.

 

[cloning11]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

re:wrfalpacas

Thanks for the SS piano hinge info I'll check it out. By the way nice boat, looks like a fun project.

 

[cloning11]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

I started on the aluminum angle reinforcements today and I think they installed great. I used a sawsall to notch out the angle aluminum and with a steady hand the cuts worked astonishingly well. It took a couple hours but they fit great.

Measuring from the outside to the first piece (on either side) equals 6 1/2". The inner measurements spaced equally at 11 7/8". This will give me a very skinny lid for storage, but I thought this method would be the most stable for the deck.

After measurements were done, I simply drilled through both pieces of aluminum and inserted an aluminum pop-rivit.

Now because of the reinforcement of the deck I cut, the plywood will not lay even with the bench seat. The thickness of the angle is 3/16" so I have to route four 33" long strips precisely to be able to slide the wood under the factory pop riveted angle that is supposed to be a reinforcement from the side of the boat to the old bench seats This means I have to slide the deck into place.

 

[cloning11]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

Here are some pictures of the front deck all cut out.

As with the rear deck I used cardboard to make my templets and used mantis270 idea to get a snug fit. "holding the tip of the jig against the hull and keeping the wide end parallel to the center line, I traced the shape of the hull..."
If you would like to see a good illustration go the the completed section and search his name Mantis270(he restored a Lund I think).

By the way If your out there-thanks mantis270.

So, I got lucky with routing the 3/16" out to fit the angle aluminum reinforcment. It's a very snug fit, it almost didn't want to back out of their but it did & it fit the first cut. All in all with cutting the aluminum and routing I think a had about four and half hours in today, not to bad.

I ordered a carpet/glue kit, SS piano hinges, and some Gulvit to treat the wood. So I'm going to be at idle for a few, I'll tinker with the seating and "middle/front" lid placement till I get the gulvit. I might even take it out in the water to make sure the deck isnt to High. I dont think so But maybe I should check.

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

That is going to make for a very sturdy deck, nice way to go at it

 

[zehnd]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

Been lurking a while and anxiously waiting for updates.

 

[skycries57]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

any updates? A question, will the braces up front hold up a 220lb+ guy up there? thanks

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 2003 14' WC Lund Deck install

SC57,

Resurrecting a 2 yr old thread is not a good idea here on the forum. A better way would be to copy the pic and start your own thread, asking the question. The Mods will more than likely close this one.
Having said that IMHO the OP should have bent the side section of the angle to a 90? angle sideways and then riveted it to the frame as well. This would provide much better support.