Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

[Paul Bell]

http://picasaweb.google.com/pacerdude/EntireDeckReplacement89Celebrity224se#
Close to completion of my major winter project. This job started as a carpet removal to fix a soft spot in the deck. The shock of how things looked below confirmed why the boat leaned a little to the starboard side.
Happy to report that there is hope for those starting or in the middle of a project like this. The deck is completed!!
Thanks to all who contribute to this site. From you I have learned how and how not to take on a job like this. I had no idea what I was in for. I had no idea how to do a job like this either.

When the student is ready...The teacher will appear

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Great job!

I used textured durabak... Awesome stuff!

I really like your design with drains, and cooler... Again great work!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

One of the best jobs I've seen yet. You should be very proud of your work. Definitely keep documenting your work and submit this to the completed projects forum when you're done.

 

[matt9923]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Did you glass in the stringers or is the peanut butter good enough. Looks solid to me.
Matt

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Excellent job Paul.

 

[Paul Bell]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

I did glass the stringers to the hull although I may have missed taking pics of that work. Where a stringer was sistered to another stringer that was already fiberglassed in I did not add more fiberglass. This boat has been used an awful lot with little structural wood left. Fortunately the hull held up well with all that rotted wood and little structural integrity.
I cant wait to hit a few waves now to feel the difference!

 

[drewpster]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Great job Paul! Keep an engine and drive in her and you can hand it down to the grandkids! She will last forever.

 

[matt9923]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

That is one of the best and strongest jobs i have seen good job.
Matt

 

[1cobia]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Great looking restore.Can't wait till I get to that point.That clinches it ,yours
and bear 69 cuda's Durabak job has made up my mind to use the same product.

 

[Davinciman]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Awesome Job... very nice boat.
Have fun jumping those waves!

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Absolutely Incredible. I would hate to ask how many hours you have tied up? You have done an awesome job. Between you and bearcuda69 alot of people will want to take a crack at there restores now. Like me trying to finish my project...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Very nice work. It is obviousy that if a person wants to do something it is best to do it the right way.

Great job.

 

[Paul Bell]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

I wish I kept track of the hours and dollars spent on this project.
Although getting in way over my head it has been a lot of fun. (At least once the demolitian and removal of the crud was done.)
Been acused once or twice of being a little anal.
One comment on the Durabek.
The vapors are incredibly powerful. Product is xylene based and requires wiping down all surfaces with xylene.
I have a high quality respirator and had good ventilation for two of the 3 coats and still the vapors seem extremely unhealthy to be exposed to.

Thanks for all the kind words and great advice out there!!!
Starting to put her back together...

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

.....Been acused once or twice of being a little anal.
...

Heard that one before. My stock answer is to ask what they have that they really like. Then I proceed to mention that if the designer/fabricator had not been anal, that they would not have that item to enjoy.

 

[beezee28]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Paul Bell, That looks like a job well done. On my boat there is a soft spot at the back of the captain's chair. The floor is carpeted over and I am a bit apprehensive to look into it, as it might turn out to be a bigger job than I can do? Can you by any chance list the material use and the brand and also where you got them from? I have never work with fiberglass before so it is going to be a challeng. Any and all help is really appreciated. Thanks

 

[Paul Bell]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Here is an appx list of products used, where they came from and cost.
Epoxy and Fiberglass: Fiberglasssite.com 10 gals epoxy 500
Fiberglass 2 oz mat 20 yds,and additional reinforcing fbg total about 200
Pl Poly lg tubes 2 cases of 12 home depot/menards 200
CDX 3/4 plywood 6 sheets local good lumber yd 400
Durabek 2 gals with shipping from MFR 300
misc items SS screws, rollers,brushes,etc 300

Material total cost around 2000

Critical items respirator, Tyvek disp suits,several pairs rubber gloves

That is a guesstimate I highly reccomend Fiberglasssite.com for lowest cost quality epoxy and glass and great advice.

The greatest investment of coarse is time and desire since many hours need to be invested.It can seem overwhelming at first but can be a fun project presenting many little mentel challenges along the way. I had no idea what I was getting into at first and learned all at this IBOAT site! Many,Many hours of reading here and all the information you need.

 

[APPALOOSA2]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Paul what a incredible job. If they built them that good at the factories what would we all do.......maybe go boating !

Very Nice Work !

 

[Paul Bell]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

I live in Northern Illinois on one of the lakes on the chain. Our winters can be long and cold. My wife has said in the past that I need to find a support group once I put the boat away for the winter. This winter has been a little different though. The normal seperation anxiety was replaced with "what the **** did I get myself into.
Generally I need to find a winter project of some sort. The deck soft spot had been there for a few yrs but I had no idea what to expect. Once I started to peel back the layers it became evident. This can be a very depressing and nasty job at first removing soaked foam and rotted wood.
Going at the boat with a circular saw, sawsall, Jig saw,Hatchet, Ice pick ect. can be intimadating!
A few more things I learned along the way:
Take more photos
Buy a good quality respirator and wear it ANYTIME cutting,sanding or grinding even just for a minute or two.
Plan to destroy some clothing. Tyvek suits are cheap (gemplers.com)
Plan for the next few steps ahead and persue 1 at a time to keep from becoming overwhelmed. If you really enjoy your boat and plan to keep it, then the invested time is well worth it. You can probably do a better job than your manufacturer did.
Read, Read, Read this site has all the information you will need.
Thanks for all the kind words and great advice!!!!

 

[Paul Bell]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Here are some updated pics of my "deck soft spot adventure"
Getting closer to completion!!http://picasaweb.google.com/pacerdude/EntireDeckReplacement89Celebrity224se#


When the student is ready the teacher will appear....

Thanks to all who have contributed to this site.
You are the teacher!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Picture update:total deck replacemnt 89 Celebrity

Looks great. That was a darn nice boat to begin with so it was definitely worth all the trouble.