building on original fdeck?

[coachmup]

I have never done any work on a boat and have what is probably a stupid question. I was recently given an old fiberglass boat. I have limited funds and resources but want to raise the deck to create a casting deck. My question is can I build directly on top of the original deck or do I need to tear it out and start fresh. I would like to raise it approx. 10 inches.

 

[coachmup]

Re: building on original fdeck?

I guess what I should have said was: I want to raise the level of the floor. Like I said I am new to this and thus will sound stupid.

 

[DJ]

Re: building on original fdeck?

Sure you can build up the old floor. Just build a framework under the new deck.

 

[Stefan Schmitt]

Re: building on original fdeck?

Extra storage! One thought though: I don't know what type of boat you have, but you will be adding extra weight in that area. It might change how the boat behaves, so try to be conservative when it comes to adding extra weight.

 

[coachmup]

Re: building on original fdeck?

Well I had thought about adding to the back as well as the front(leaving the center portion recessed). Will that help with how the boat behaves if I add weight evenly.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: building on original fdeck?

There is no reason why you can't do what you propose. It all depends on your budget, but you really want to keep it as light as possible. You can use 3/4 ply for the deck material, and build a frame out of 3/4 ply, attach the frame to some 1x1, and screw it to the floor, making sure to really seal the screws. There are many ways to do it, but without seeing the boat, it is hard to say. You could go with thinner ply for the deck, but you'll then need more framework. What type of boat is it and how big is it?

 

[DJ]

Re: building on original fdeck?

1/2" OR 5/8" ply is fine for decks, as long as:<br /><br />1. You're not heavy.<br /><br />2. You have bracing underneath. Bracing is lighter and cheaper than 3/4".

 

[coachmup]

Re: building on original fdeck?

The boat is an '85 Caddo 14'(I think) with an '85 Evinrude 50hp. Another question: If I use marine grade ply do I need to use epoxy and fiberglass or is the marine grade sealed enough?

 

[mutron77]

Re: building on original fdeck?

Coach,<br /><br />You must use epoxy. 2 coats min. Three if you plan on doing alot of sanding. Coat both sides and the edges too. The way I did mine was to lay the deck across a couple of saw horses. Mix up your epoxy in a plastic cup.<br />I used Solo brand 16 oz. Dont use foam cups the heat generated by the epoxy could melt it. I then dumped it out down the middle (longways) of the board and used a foam roller to push it out to the edges. This always kept the roller wet and gave a nice uniform coat with no bubbles.<br />Once ecpapsulated it will never rot. You must make sure that any holes drilled in the deck for seats, or whatever are coated also using a syringe or a pipe cleaner soaked in epoxy, and you can even dip<br />any screws (stainless steel only please) in epoxy before putting them in.(good luck getting them out). Without these precautions, your boat will rot from the inside out. I'm gluing mine down with thickened epoxy and adding a few screws in certain areas.<br />Use biaxial tape for the seams and then a large sheet of cloth (I am using one piece of 7oz, 50" X 9 FT) to cover it all over. This will add abrasion resistance and strentgh.<br />That's my 2 cents!<br />Good luck!!!<br /><br />H90

 

[JasonJ]

Re: building on original fdeck?

Just remember, he said he has limited financial resources. All that epoxy and cloth and all that could end him up with a $300 casting deck, it is overkill on a freebie boat. <br /><br />You can build your structure and coat it with a few coats of a good paint and get adequate protection. I used polyurethane paint for my exposed wood, and it has held up fine. You can always recoat down the road if need be.

 

[mutron77]

Re: building on original fdeck?

Point well taken,<br />But, if you got the boat for free that means your cost basis in it = $0<br />You don't want to go crazy if you are just gonna get rid of the boat in a year or two. But, if you like the boat and want to keep it for a while, it can't hurt to do it up right. Plus he should have some glass and epoxy left over should he need to make a repair in the future.<br />Like I said, just my 2 cents. Coach is gonna have to make that decision for himself. Particle board, house paint, and astro turf? Or: Expoy, Marine grade ply wood and Boat carpet, ... or anything inbetween.<br />H90

 

[coachmup]

Re: building on original fdeck?

thanks to everyone lots of decisions to make.