Question Boat decking

MrGadget · 07-14-2008, 04:45 PM

The deck (that would be "floor" to you landlubbers

) went soft in my '89 Pro-V. You would think it an easy R&R since, being a tiller steer, the deck is a single rectangular sheet or 5/8" marine grade plywood.

The problem... what I took out measures 47" x 114"... Just where in Sam Hill does one find a sheet of plywood 9 1/2' long?

I'm not too keen on the idea of splicing two partials together, as I am afraid the joint would be a weak spot, even if positioned over a stringer, as that would mean sinking a double row of screws, with the distinct possibility of blowing out the edge of the plywood... not much better than having no joint at all! Besides that, I don't want to buy a full $60 sheet of plywood when I only need 18"!

Open to any/all suggestions or resources available. Thanks, Gadget

JasenWFO · 07-14-2008, 06:45 PM

Might try calling some of the lumber yards (smaller ones, NOT Home Depot, Lowes etc). I know I have seen 12' sections.

I want to say my old man bought some 12 footers from Earl Carter when he did his boat, but that was YEARS ago. Many of the smaller yards will help you locate specialty pieces.

WalkingNe · 07-15-2008, 03:53 PM

Not sure about 10' marine plywood, but you can get standard plywood in most lumber yards at that length, perhaps treat it your self.

wiredawg · 07-31-2008, 03:38 PM

If you do end up joining 2 pieces here is a good way to do it.
Scarf Joint
If you want the 10' you can find it thru a supplier of wooden boat building materials. i hear the shipping is expensive. You can also just seal the edges with fiberglass and epoxy. See what kind of plywood? FAQ
I redid a ski boat once that all of the underneath support and seats were also rotten.

MrGadget · 08-01-2008, 06:00 AM

Thank-you! I had forgotten about the scarf joint... the bevel allowing for 3 times the surface area for the glued joint as would a butt joint... and it's stronger than a butt joint even with a splice underneath.

What type of glue would be the best choice for a damp environment? After all, boat decks do get wet! Gadget

fish_finder · 08-01-2008, 10:21 AM

Epoxy is what they use to make scarf joints in boat building. I would try that.

MURF · 08-01-2008, 01:11 PM

One thing that I was thinking of doing was replacing the deck with Trex. And just not use carpet. Would sure be simple to keep clean. I would think that 2x4 treated lumber could be used as stringers. Cut 47" long and clipped side by side on 10' stringers. They come in colors that could be like gray carpet or better still a wood color. But in my case I just bought a newer boat.

Trex Decking: The Complete Color Palette - Full Range of Rich Colors

Shorty · 08-01-2008, 03:18 PM

We used to special order 10' long finished grade plywood out of someplace in Colorado, although I can't think of the name right now. I'm sure someone makes 4'x 10' plywood sheets but I am guessing it is pricey!!!!!

magnusthebigbrownlab · 08-10-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MURF

One thing that I was thinking of doing was replacing the deck with Trex. And just not use carpet. Would sure be simple to keep clean. I would think that 2x4 treated lumber could be used as stringers. Cut 47" long and clipped side by side on 10' stringers. They come in colors that could be like gray carpet or better still a wood color. But in my case I just bought a newer boat.

Trex Decking: The Complete Color Palette - Full Range of Rich Colors

I built 16' worth of 6' privacy fence out of Trex about a month and a half ago. Wicked expensive. WICKED expensive.

07-14-2008, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
MrGadget MrGadget is praying for "Hard Water" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Salt Valley Posts: 610 Thanks: 148 Thanked 84 Times in 61 Posts	Boat decking The deck (that would be "floor" to you landlubbers ) went soft in my '89 Pro-V. You would think it an easy R&R since, being a tiller steer, the deck is a single rectangular sheet or 5/8" marine grade plywood. The problem... what I took out measures 47" x 114"... Just where in Sam Hill does one find a sheet of plywood 9 1/2' long? I'm not too keen on the idea of splicing two partials together, as I am afraid the joint would be a weak spot, even if positioned over a stringer, as that would mean sinking a double row of screws, with the distinct possibility of blowing out the edge of the plywood... not much better than having no joint at all! Besides that, I don't want to buy a full $60 sheet of plywood when I only need 18"! Open to any/all suggestions or resources available. Thanks, Gadget __________________ "Give a man a fish... he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish... he will spend every dime he makes on uber tackle!"

07-15-2008, 03:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
WalkingNe WalkingNe is looking towards Montana Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 160 Thanks: 57 Thanked 43 Times in 17 Posts	Not sure about 10' marine plywood, but you can get standard plywood in most lumber yards at that length, perhaps treat it your self. __________________ No vegetables were harmed in the feeding of this human.

08-01-2008, 06:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
MrGadget MrGadget is praying for "Hard Water" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Salt Valley Posts: 610 Thanks: 148 Thanked 84 Times in 61 Posts	Thank-you! I had forgotten about the scarf joint... the bevel allowing for 3 times the surface area for the glued joint as would a butt joint... and it's stronger than a butt joint even with a splice underneath. What type of glue would be the best choice for a damp environment? After all, boat decks do get wet! Gadget __________________ "Give a man a fish... he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish... he will spend every dime he makes on uber tackle!"

08-01-2008, 03:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
Shorty Shorty is itching for open water Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: on the water near Lincoln Posts: 2,273 Thanks: 1,217 Thanked 312 Times in 193 Posts	We used to special order 10' long finished grade plywood out of someplace in Colorado, although I can't think of the name right now. I'm sure someone makes 4'x 10' plywood sheets but I am guessing it is pricey!!!!! __________________ Sometimes it's just fun to sit back and watch the circus.....

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07-14-2008, 06:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
JasenWFO JasenWFO has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Might try calling some of the lumber yards (smaller ones, NOT Home Depot, Lowes etc). I know I have seen 12' sections. I want to say my old man bought some 12 footers from Earl Carter when he did his boat, but that was YEARS ago. Many of the smaller yards will help you locate specialty pieces.

07-31-2008, 03:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
wiredawg wiredawg has no status. Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 8 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you do end up joining 2 pieces here is a good way to do it. Scarf Joint If you want the 10' you can find it thru a supplier of wooden boat building materials. i hear the shipping is expensive. You can also just seal the edges with fiberglass and epoxy. See what kind of plywood? FAQ I redid a ski boat once that all of the underneath support and seats were also rotten.

08-01-2008, 10:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
fish_finder fish_finder is fishing.......always fishing Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lincoln Posts: 915 Thanks: 127 Thanked 80 Times in 61 Posts	Epoxy is what they use to make scarf joints in boat building. I would try that.

08-01-2008, 01:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
MURF MURF is Lock and Load Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Papillion Posts: 290 Thanks: 5 Thanked 38 Times in 28 Posts	One thing that I was thinking of doing was replacing the deck with Trex. And just not use carpet. Would sure be simple to keep clean. I would think that 2x4 treated lumber could be used as stringers. Cut 47" long and clipped side by side on 10' stringers. They come in colors that could be like gray carpet or better still a wood color. But in my case I just bought a newer boat. Trex Decking: The Complete Color Palette - Full Range of Rich Colors