Couple of what to use questions for the experts...

[Grizzly Preacher]

I am extending the front casting deck on my Alum. Grizzly. I am using plywood of course. Low budget so not marine grade, but it is garage kept, so only water exposure will be while fishing on rainy days or washing down...

- If I use exterior grade poly urathane to seal it, should I still put a primer sealer down first?

- Will the outdoor carpet glue bond to the poly?

- I will be putting carpet down over the existing aluminum deck as well - Will the outdoor carpet glue bond to the aluminum or should I use some other type of adhesive on the aluminum section?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Couple of what to use questions for the experts...

Too many variables to say, it depends on the type wood used to make the plywood. If you put carpet down expect it rot soon, without carpet it may last many years.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Couple of what to use questions for the experts...

The outdoor carpet glue should bond fine to the aluminum, but check the bucket first, usually they list the materials they have problems with.

The glue should bond to the poly, but polyurethane stain isn't a good choice for boat work, especially on a floor. With the carpet on it I'd think it'll rot fairly quickly, maybe starting within a year.

For a durable deck, I'd put down a layer of glass fabric in poly resin, preferably on both sides, and put the carpet over that. You may even be able to use a thinner plywood if you glass both sides.

Erik

 

[redfury]

Re: Couple of what to use questions for the experts...

You could use a spar varnish, it's used for wooden boats. The carpet glue is going to bond to just about anything...it's getting it off that's usually the hard part.

You would be best to use an oil based sealer on the wood if you plan to just coat it with a polyurethane or varnish, etc so that you get good penetration into the wood.

I agree with Erik though, a coating of thinned down poly resin followed with a layer of cloth fiberglass encapsulating it would be the ultimate way to seal it in, but the bigger issue is just simply getting the boat dried out after it gets wet. If the worst that boat will ever see is a day of fishing and potentially getting caught in the rain, then simply coating the wood and carpeting over it would last a long time.

It all depends on how much time you want to invest in it now vs. later.