'95 Bayliner replacing deck and carpet

[regregan]

I recently aquired a 95 Bayliner Capri 17' that was left uncovered for about 4 years. It filled with rain water when the drain became plugged from the several varmits living in the boat. The deck is rotted through and I've already removed most of the rotten plywood, cut back to solid wood about 3" from the sides. I plan to replace with marine ply and cover with fiberglass cloth and either epoxy or polyester resin then install new carpet. The flotation foam is completely dry so I plan to leave that alone.

My questions are:

1. Am I missing anything here?

2. Do I really need to use marine plywood ($$) or will exterior ply sealed well perform as well?

3. Should I use epoxy or polyester resin?

4. Why is carpet getting such a bad reputation, I live in South Texas and think anything else would be too hot on the feet. What are my alternatives to carpet. With 3 small kids I want to make the boat comfy for all.

thanks regan

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: '95 Bayliner replacing deck and carpet

Regan I would deffinately do a little diggin on the stringers and transom before I put the deck back in if the deck was that bad thats most likely not your only problem . The main problem with carpet is it holds moisture which in turn rots wood . I am going with vinyl on my deck but if you must use carpet go with snap in removable carpet so you can take it out and let it dry out of the boat.


Rick

 

[lowkee]

Re: '95 Bayliner replacing deck and carpet

Congrats on the new boat. You need not use marine ply. I am using normal BC grade plywood in mine. So long as you seal it you are fine. Having marine ply or outdoor ply only matters if it gets wet, which sealed wood won't. The epoxy/resin is your choice. Epoxy is considered easier to work with (less smelly), but if you want to gelcoat anything, you want poly. Poly is normally much cheaper.

It is possible the stringers and transom were perfectly sealed and no water got to them, but that is normally not the case and the chances are high you will find rotten stringers at least.

 

[regregan]

Re: '95 Bayliner replacing deck and carpet

Thanks lowkee and rickairmedic, I have to replace two stringers that hold the rear fishing seat mount. other than that the rest are solid. The transon is rock solid.

I think the wet thick layer of leaves and racoon crap is what rotted out the deck.

I've heard that although poly is cheaper it doesn't bond well to the existing glass. Since I got this boat pretty cheap i don't mind spending the few extra bucks on epoxy but if there really isn't any benefit I'd rather spend the money on new upholstery (since that was all chewed by varmits)

When you say vinyl is that a spray on / roll on, or similar to what one would put in their kitchen floor? Would the vinyl be slippery?

Thanks again

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: '95 Bayliner replacing deck and carpet

Regan I will leave the resin to the glass boat guys buuuuut the vinyl I am refering to is plain old marine vinyl just like whats on your seats.



Rick