99 Larson 186 SEI Ski-n-Fish Re-Deck Project

[mickyryan]

you know it could be something as simple as someone hit a speed bump jarring outboard and cracking that filler without a transom saver that outboard can put some weight on a transom as its bouncing around in up position

 

[QuickPuppy]

It certainly could. Still wondering what that filler is and how/if to replace it.

 

[kcassells]

Shape out some 1/2" ply or 1/4"...glass it/peanut butter {with glass fibers} it to the thickness you need. Get close then use a minimal amount of putty.
Too much putty will crack in those areas.

 

[mickyryan]

that filler looks like arjay
http://www.arjaytech.com [h=1]4001 Core Bonding Compound[/h]

 

[QuickPuppy]

Thanks for the info guys

 

[QuickPuppy]

Well more delays but also more progress over the past couple of weeks.

The deck is super solid... feels like jumping onto concrete now.

Put some fillet in the ski locker to deck seam as well as the area where the deck sides go into the bilge.

Tabbed all of the deck edges.

Cut and fitted 1708 for entire deck. I’m cutting things a bit close... I decided to go with the 1608 instead of CSM for the deck surface and only have 7 yards left. I’m using every bit of it. Hoping that 4 gallons of resin is enough to finish. You all think that a single layer of 1708 on 3/4” marine ply is enough? I have a bunch of CSM left over so that is still an option. I just don’t have enough resin for that and I really don’t want to buy another bucket!

Next step will be to make sure the deck is as smooth as possible and resin that in place. I have several areas of tabbing overlap that I need to grind flat. My plan with the deck cloth is to have it overlap in the center the width of the ski locker. I figure that will give it a reinforced area in the most walked on section and should be easier to level out the edges later.

Any tips on sanding uncured fiberglass? I didn’t want to use wax as it still will need to faired and gelcoated. All I seem to be doing is wasting sanding disks as they gum up after a minute or so.

 

[Woodonglass]

cover the area with plastic. Poly resin has an air inhibited cure. Cover it so air can't get to it and it'll cure faster and not be gummy. If you do the lay up correctly, 4 gallons of resin should wet out 16 yards of 1608, But you should coat bare wood with a coat of resin first and then lay the glass soo in reality 4 gallons will do about 8 yards of fabric soooo you're cutting it close. 1 layer of 1608 is more than ample for a deck

 

[QuickPuppy]

Thanks Wood.

Any tips on fairing 1708? Is it better to make my own or buy pre-made compound? I have cabosil and glass bubbles. (if I recall correctly... it’s been months since I bought it!) Can I lay on extra resin during wet out to fill in the weave or does that just end up cracking and flaking off? I noticed some areas of my tabbing that got a bit of extra resin on it was nice and smooth with no weave print through.

 

[tpenfield]

The weave could make a nice non-skid surface if it is non overly wetted out.

 

[Woodonglass]

I agree, I'd seriously consider letting the weave show thru. I truly does make for a "Grippier" (if that's a word) deck but if you truly want a smooth deck, then I'd plan on putting down a layer of 1.5oz CSM over the top of the 1708.

 

[JASinIL2006]

1708 will leave a grippy surface, but it might be a bit more than you want.

If you do decide to fair, I wouldn't use cabosil. When mixed with resin that stuff will be really hard to sand. I found fairing compound in resin to work well and it was easy to sand.

 

[QuickPuppy]

Thanks all. Finally found a place within easy driving distance that sells 5 gals of resin for $125. Bought one last night so I now have plenty to finish everything. I’ll return the three rediculously overpriced gallons I just bought that had probably sat on the store shelf for a year.

Today is the day... going to grind/sand everything as smooth as I can get it, vac and acetone, and get the 1708 down. Pray for me... it’s HOT and HUMID! 🌡 Not exactly Tyvek, goggle, and respirator weather.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Stay hydrated!

 

[mickyryan]

i cant wear a suit i wear gold bond foot powder or doller store foot powder , blue bottle it keeps me from itching i put it on before i grind i do wear a full face shield and safety glasses and a full respirator mask , not losing my eyes

 

[QuickPuppy]

I use Gold Bond and the suit. Been itchy too many times not too! Still have some that got through though.

I didn’t get the whole deck covered. It should be done tomorrow though. I got the whole SB side done and the whole back from the bench seat to stern. I’ll probably need to sand a bit to smooth the transition edges before I lay the last piece in.

Any idea how long it takes to cure with plastic? I need to try that in the am before I head to the store to restock my sanding disks.

 

[QuickPuppy]

The deck is almost done. I got the final big piece of 1708 glassed in but I did have an issue with it. Because of the size of the piece I used (50” x 98” I wanted minimal seams on the open part of the deck), I had to apply the resin in sections. The first of which was under the bench seat. I had to pull the 1708 under the bench and try to get it over the wet deck and get it lined up the first try. That didn’t quite work. It immediately got stuck and I had at least five big wrinkles in it. The more I tried to work it into place the worse it was getting so I made the best of it. 1708 is fairly forgiving once it is wetted out so I worked at it until the resin was setting. I was able to get all but one big wrinkle out. That will have to be cut and grinded out and then I’ll patch it. Fortunately, it’s under the seat box and will never be seen.

FYI—- found some new sanding disks for my random orbital sander that claim 10x longer life. It’s a sanding screen by Avanti Pro. They still eventually gummed up with partially cured resin but they did last significantly longer than the paper disks, and they are cleanable and reusable.

 

[QuickPuppy]

Any tips for applying gelcoat with anti-skid?

 

[QuickPuppy]

Thinking of doing two coats with the anti skid applied in the first coat. Need to just do a couple test pieces I suppose.

 

[AShipShow]

That's my plan... although I was thinking possibly a 3rd coat...

 

[QuickPuppy]

For those of you who have decks that are not white or off white, how much hotter does the darker color seem to make it? I’m planning to go with a medium to dark grey right now but could go to white with grey spatter or highlights instead to keep it cooler.