Planning for Deck replacement

[eLeShUnut]

I have a 1999 Nitro 185 Fish & Ski that has begun rotting (?) around the ski storage and floor drain hole. The material does not look like wood, but rather a 3/4" corregated material sandwiched between fglass. I am planning to attack this in September, so I'm trying to get a game plan together. The boat is used for half the time for skiing so the deck will continue to get wet. I intend to replace the whole carpeted area. This is my first attempt at a project like this.

I'm planning to use 5/8 treated ply that has been drying for 2 months, but am open to suggestions.

I can not determine how the deck is attached, any guidance? Should I plan to remove the entire glass sandwich, or just the middle & top?

A couple of other notes: the only stringer I could find was a large foam section just aft of the ski storage compartment...sample came out dry & fluffy. All other foam is heavily encased in glass compartments. they sound hollow when tapped with a rubber mallet.

The transom sample, while not wet, was dark and clumpy (not flaky). The wood was very solid to drill into. Sounds solid when tapped with rubber mallet. Does not flex with motor & no visible cracks inside or out.

Thanx ahead for your input.

Bevan

 

[Paul eagen]

Re: Planning for Deck replacement

I too am planning to rebuild the deck on my 79 Thompson this fall. Of course it will probably end up being a whole lot more than that. Anyway if you are going to replace the deck I would tear up the whole thing so that you can be sure everything else is stable. The other thing is that I would not put carpet back on the deck just because all carpet does hold some water and water will cause rot. I am going to go with a non skid deck of some type, haven't decieded what type yet, but If it is done right all you have to do when it gets dirty is take the hose to it and it will all be washed out the bildge hole.

 

[eLeShUnut]

Re: Planning for Deck replacement

I think I'm going to use one of the nautolex products rather than carpet.

http://www.omnova.com/products/marineOEMUpholstery/marineflooring.aspx

I will also probably add 2 more drain holes in the corners as water tends to pool there.

Looks like I'm going to use 1 8' sheet down the middle & a couple of smaller pieces on the sides then glass it all together. Should be stronger that way.

I realised that the foam sample I took was not from the stringr (Lengthwise). Heck, I'm not sure whatthe structure is called, but it was also dry. I am not overly concerned yet as the deck decay seems confined to the 2 cut through point areas.

I'm still hoping for a little guidance...I'm still not to a high level of comfort with undertaking this yet. My limited experience with glassing, while accomplishing what I needed...at the time seemed to be a trainwreck.

Good luck on your project...please keep me posted....

Bevan

 

[eLeShUnut]

Re: Planning for Deck replacement

bump. Still looking for insight.