Decking thickness in 97 Smokercraft

[NathanY]

Tearing out the old floor and it 1/2" and not pressure treated. Few questions:

1. Should I replace it with 1/2" since all the aluminum sides and console were made for that size?
2. Does it need to be pressure treated? The original wwasn't and its lasted 20 years, without a cover, nonetheless.
3. Does the wood need to be treated with something?

 

[GA_Boater]

PT and aluminum are not a good combination. The copper in the PT chemicals will eat the boat.

The original 1/2' worked so I would go back with 1/2"

I use spar varnish and am happy with it.

How is the transom wood? Usually the deck and transom go bad at the same time.

 

[NathanY]

The transom is all aluminum. Just wasted 3 hours taking the splash well and inner transom off only to find no wood. But it needed to be taken off anyway I guess.

 

[kcassells]

Howsa bout some pics

 

[bonz_d]

As you stated it was originally 1/2" you can replace with the same or if you like you might be able to move up to 5/8" and still have everything fit while adding a little strength. ACX or BCX plywood will both work well and I suggest that while looking thru the different grades and manufacturers of ply watch for the number of plys used. Try to find 5 ply rather than 4 ply.

As for sealing it I have been using WOG's "Old Timers Formula" and it has been performing very well at a reasonable cost. There are better solutions but they also cost more to use.

Please do post some pictures and happy building.

 

[Watermann]

The transom is not all aluminum, Starcraft makes Smokercraft and my buddy has a Smoker Magnum with the wood transom sandwiched between the outer and an inner sheet of aluminum. That design in and of itself lends towards water being trapped inside causing rot issues. You'll have to pull transom cap and then the inner aluminum sheet to see the wood.