building a swim deck... Which wood?

[semo549]

Hey guys I have started the process of designing and building a swim deck that runs the full length of the transom for my 77' Sea Ray srv-187. I've got the design down including the brackets I'll be using. I'm using my existing brackets from my old small platform to go on the outside, then making thgee middle two supports out of SS tubing. My question is what type of wood should I go with? here's my parameters; I'm on a low budget so teak is not an option, my local supplier is home depot or lowes. I know they have pines, prime weather shield, ceder, red oak..... I want this to look nice and to hold up for atleast a few seasons. I plan on sanding, staining, and sealing whichever type of wood I chose to use. Basically I want this platform to look nice and still hold up. So type of wood should I use?

Thanks for the help,
Jim

He's my plans I've drawn up, the planks will be 1x4's

Don't flame me for the foil, This pic was from last year, I got smart tabs now!

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: building a swim deck... Which wood?

Semo,

Have you priced teak? It might not be that much more expensive.

As an alternative I would recommend a hard wood like red oak. Sand fairly smooth and then use a good quality marine spar varnish...at least six coats. Coat each piece before assembly. When you see the finish fading or starting to peel a little, you can sand and reapply varnish over it again. It should last you a long time. Careful though it might be a little slippery when wet.

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: building a swim deck... Which wood?

Limited to HD/Lowes wood, I would look at cedar. Light, rot-resistant, and good color. Maybe oil/stain rather than varnish.

Terry

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: building a swim deck... Which wood?

TD,

I thought about that option as well but I suggested otherwise since cedar is a fairly soft wood and might not hold up to wear and tear.

Semo, make two platforms...one out of cedar w/oil and one out of oak w/varnish and let us know which one holds up the best.

 

[lrcustom]

Re: building a swim deck... Which wood?

Have not seen ISO paper in use for decades. Wonderful design. I have an 87 Sea Ray very similar to yours but my 2 decks are formed fiberglass. Would like to do similar to you. My 2 cents on your sketch is the tilt of the outdrive may hit. The deck looks at about the same as mine and I am not able to hold the same elevation over the unit.
As far as the wood goes cedar can work but stength is a big concern and cedar does not stain well. It does look awsome in my view natural. Red Oak is heavy but stains well and is strong. There are other options. I would stay away from any pine use as it will not survive the elements. Lowes/Home depot both cary the Red Oak so find could tight grain with light wieght you might have a win. and you can seal it with varnish for a glossy look urathanes will do well if uv stuff is in it for exterior use.

I am going to build a glass one so I can lift the shape at the lower unit.

again nice use of the ISO paper

LR

 

[semo549]

Re: building a swim deck... Which wood?

Thanks for the input guys! I will be heading to lowes Wednesday to pick up materials, I'll have a look at the Red Oak and Ceder.

LR: I measured the height of my lower unit and I figured that I will have to use two 1" planks on the outside, this will raise the deck high enough to give clearence with it raised all the way up.