Redecking pontoon, have a few questions

[wypontoon]

So I'm installing a new deck on our pontoon as the old one has several soft spots due to rotting. I ordered 4 sheets of marine grade plywood. Do I need to put any kind of coating on the underside of the plywood? The top will have new carpet on it so I guessing that the carpet adhesive will take care of it. Also the old deck was attached with elevator bolts. Can I use zinc coated ones or should I try and find stainless steel ones?

 

[nikogto]

Re: Redecking pontoon, have a few questions

You can leave the underside of the plywood alone, any type of sealants or coatings with keep the moisture in, causing the wood to rot alot sooner. Stainless steel is the best to use for deck hardware. Not sure if this site has decking hardware, you can also go on pontoonstuff.com for hardware needs. They also have complete carpet/deck kits. I re-built a 28' pontoon a couple years ago, used 7 sheets.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Redecking pontoon, have a few questions

Stainless steel is the only really good way to go, and they never wear out, so next time you need to re-deck, you can just remove and re-use those same nuts and bolts. I use small stainless screws with washers around the edges to hold down my deck carpet, then when I need to re-carpet every 3 or 4 years, I don't have to deal with all that glue-stuck carpet, just remove the screws, put down the new carpet, screws and ready to go! Good Luck!

 

[wypontoon]

Re: Redecking pontoon, have a few questions

Stainless steel is the only really good way to go, and they never wear out, so next time you need to re-deck, you can just remove and re-use those same nuts and bolts. I use small stainless screws with washers around the edges to hold down my deck carpet, then when I need to re-carpet every 3 or 4 years, I don't have to deal with all that glue-stuck carpet, just remove the screws, put down the new carpet, screws and ready to go! Good Luck!

Do you have any issues with the carpet not staying tight or stretching? Also have you ever used http://www.pontoonstuff.com/pontoon-boat/94-pontoon-deck-sealant-pontoon-accessories.asp?

 

[samm835]

Re: Redecking pontoon, have a few questions

I just pulled up all my carpet on my 24ft pontoon, the wood didn't replaced at all but the carpet was an old green that I hated. I found some nice carpet for a great price at Home Depot.com. They beat any price around on marine grade carpet. I had read some where that someone used screws to put down carpet. In my opinion the carpet I put down would have shifted or would have floated in the middle, especially if the carpet was stretched over the years. I used the glue, and found it easy to apply and work with. Granted it is glue, so its going to be a pain to take up, but I wanted it to look good down and not move. To make it easier you can run the glue in strips, like 10inch strips about every two/three feet. This way when you go to take up....it won't all be glued down, but still give you what you need to have secure on the floor. Good luck.

 

[peppyjd]

Re: Redecking pontoon, have a few questions

Also have you ever used http://www.pontoonstuff.com/pontoon-boat/94-pontoon-deck-sealant-pontoon-accessories.asp?

I ordered the deck sealer tape. The sticky side goes down on each cross member where two pieces of plywood abutt. This seals the seams in the plywood deck and prevents water seepage. It also prevents any chemicals in the plywood from adversely reacting with the metal cross members. For good measure I also put a bead of silicone down each seam before I used vinyl decking.

 

[wypontoon]

Re: Redecking pontoon, have a few questions

I'm also going to install fence risers when I put the railing back up. The railing has bolts that go up into the underside of the railing. A few of these snapped off when I went to remove them. I'm thinking of just going with top mount SS fence bolts. If I do this after I drill holes in the deck should I put any kind of sealant in the holes to keep water out? I guess that would include the deck bolts and furniture mounting as well.