Decking Dilemma

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Decking Dilemma

previous owner pulled a few benches, but I would rather not have them anyway, just personal preference. I did not get Pressure Treated plywood because I heard the problems with the alkaline copper chemicals in the treatment that react with aluminum on the hull if it makes contact. I got 3/4" plywood that is exterior grade but not pressure treated.

One thing I am concerned about however, is water getting on the deck, then seeping down in between the edge of the deck and the hull. I was also planning on looking into that pink insulation foam to put under the deck in some places, but will this stuff trap water and mildew if the edges of the deck arent sealed where they meet the hull and water gets down in there?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Decking Dilemma

The pink foam will not absorb water. It also won't sit perfectly flat against your hull bottom so I don't think it will impede drainage. Water will get between the deck and the hull and that's why you have a drain plug in the back. The edges of your deck should be sealed.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Decking Dilemma

previous owner pulled a few benches, but I would rather not have them anyway, just personal preference. I did not get Pressure Treated plywood because I heard the problems with the alkaline copper chemicals in the treatment that react with aluminum on the hull if it makes contact. I got 3/4" plywood that is exterior grade but not pressure treated.

One thing I am concerned about however, is water getting on the deck, then seeping down in between the edge of the deck and the hull. I was also planning on looking into that pink insulation foam to put under the deck in some places, but will this stuff trap water and mildew if the edges of the deck arent sealed where they meet the hull and water gets down in there?

Welcome!
Those benches did add hull integrity...if you deck this puppy all the way back to the stern...may want to devise a way to add support to the inner hull.

\________/

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Decking Dilemma

Welcome!
Those benches did add hull integrity...if you deck this puppy all the way back to the stern...may want to devise a way to add support to the inner hull.

\________/

I have been thinking about this as well. What would you recommend?

I thought about perhaps building a frame for the deck out of 2x2's and allowing the deck to sit up a little higher. i assumed that would help strengthen the sides a little, but I am no expert.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Decking Dilemma

Wow Aggie,

the PO Did a JOB on that boat!!! I would for SURE recommend some aluminum angle supports riveted to those existing Seat brackets about 8" above the deck braces. then set your deck boards on them. You could extend Brace legs down to the deck cross braces for support.

This is NOT the best Drawing but you get the idea...

As for sealing the wood. Epoxy is Expensive. Poly and Mat is less. but more work. Using Plain Oil Base Deck Sealing product Least expensive But will NOT las as long. IF coated with Regular Polyurethane, then Painted with Rustoleum Pro Oil Base Paint And Paid CLOSE attention to the edges It would probably last 3-5 years. Use PL Premium to seal the edges of the deck to the hull sides, then put your turf or carpet down and you'd be good to go.

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Decking Dilemma

what do you mean by PL Premium? keep in mind, I am an Aggie, you cant get to technical with us!!

as for the aluminum angle riveting, i have those pre-existing wood ribs laying in the boat that I was going to fasten my deck to. Is the aluminum angle really necessary? I am going to have an elevated deck in the front, and an elevated deck in the back by the transom. i figured by adding a bit of elevated deck in the back, it would help strengthen the sides of the hull, and make them less flimsy.

And, although the PO did some stupid stuff, I like the openness of the boat. I am going to be using this boat strictly for cats and crappie, and bowfishing, so I like lots of space. I am also going to do a console, probably a center, and probably standing height, since I am 6' 7" tall. where in the boat should I place the console?

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Decking Dilemma



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Saw this pic on google. sort of what I am wanting to do with my deck. But i think i want the front casting deck to come a little farther back.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Decking Dilemma

PL Is a Polyurethane adhesive that you can buy at Lowe's.

As for your plan. Taking the Center Seat out of the Boat seriously compromised the integrity of the structure. IF you encountered a major WAKE it could possibly fold your boat in half and I AM NOT JOKING!!!! The Forward and Aft decks WOULD greatly help BUT every bit of additional weight you put in the boat takes away from how much you can haul including yourself. Does it still have the plate on the transom telling you what the recommended weights are??? Could you Take the 3/4 ply back and replace with 1/2"??? That is Really all you need. I have to recommend some sort of center support. I suppose if you want a center console you could incorporate a support there, but having a total open center is not what THAT boat was designed for. I guess you can put your deck on the wood floor supports. Sorry but it is what it is. I AM ALL about Safety First so I am gunna be a PITA about this. Besides I'm an OKIE TOO!!!

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Decking Dilemma

I'm not at all bothered by the truth. I am new to this and I want to learn the right way. Although I am only 19, I have built tons of stuff in my old highschool Ag shop. From custom replacement bumpers for my truck, to 20 ft gooseneck lowboys and cattle trailers. So I know how certain things will and will not work in the mechanical world. I suppose I could swap that 3/4" for 1/2" if you think 1/2" is sufficient. I only bought one sheet so it shouldnt be too hard. But what if most of the boat was deck, and then i had a little dip down for the console steering? I want to have a functional boat and I appreciate all opinions.

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Decking Dilemma

the plate on the transom is not there.

an idea, a friend of mine has some galvanized plate that is the same thickness as the aluminum. Perhaps i could fab up another bench to rivet in the place of the old middle one. I have access to a welder and all the stuff I would need. I know it is galvanized, but a can of primer and some rustoleum or valspar paint should take care of it, right?

would this be a possibility?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Decking Dilemma

I'd be leery of dissimilar metals. Corrosion city.

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Decking Dilemma

what if i had it powdercoated before riveting in place?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Decking Dilemma

Welcome to iboats Mac, I like that boat and it has tons of potential.

I agree with Wood that the hull needs something to tie it together and stiffen everything. It was not designed to have those benches removed by any means.

I really like that center console rig you posted, that would be a nice open layout.

I'd put the console just a bit farther forward than the one in the picture, but the closer to the bow the bumpier the ride is gonna be.


I also agree that you should use the 3/4" for something else, maybe the transom. 1/2" if sealed with epoxy resin will be extremely strong and still lightweight. The overall weight of the material should be minimized whenever possible.

Good luck to ya!

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Decking Dilemma

do you have an opinion on what I said before your post about building a replacement bench out of galvanized plate and painting it and riveting it in where the old middle bench was?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Decking Dilemma

do you have an opinion on what I said before your post about building a replacement bench out of galvanized plate and painting it and riveting it in where the old middle bench was?

The only material you will want to use will be aluminum or wood. Aluminum would be best since it is strong and lightweight.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Decking Dilemma

Ok Aggie,

I dun did me sum resurchin on dis here subjek dis hear iz fer yer reedin injoymunt. Dew whut ewe think iz write. Ifn it wur mine I wood uz WOOD
http://www.finishing.com/419/30.shtml

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Decking Dilemma

yeah buddy I'm gonna put my couch and TV on the front lawn and watch me some nascar and drink some Keystone light, because in Aggieland, if you don't do that, you're WEIRD, and should probably get to Austin asap.

anyway, I read over that article, and I think i'll just stick to aluminum. Homedepot has some aluminum angle that I think I will use to build a strengthening frame to attach my deck to. think that will work?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Decking Dilemma

Absolutely! I KNOWED ewe was one smart feller!!!!

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Decking Dilemma

hahaha. this keeps getting better and better. so to get this straight: aluminum angle riveted to the hull to make a frame, 1/2" plywood for the deck, coated in a poly resin/fiberglass mat/poly resin, and then painted with some rust oleum top coat. Can I let the fiberglass mat/poly resin continue up a few inches on the hull where the wood meets the hull, so it creates a watertight seal between the wood and the hull?

also, can I sand the hardened fiberglass down before painting it?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Decking Dilemma

Solly Cholly. Resin No Sticky to Aluminum. Do all your Glass work outside the boat and then bolt it in. Use Stainless bolts. Use the PL to seal the edges. Yep Sand her smooth then Paint. Thin the paint with some Acetone About 15%. Makes it dry quicker, and Harder. Spinkle some sand on it when its wet for a non skid surface. Put on another Coat and yer good to go.