Pontoon Deck Thickness

VaGent

VaGent

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jul 14, 2008
Messages
221
I'm starting a rebuild on a pontoon & was wondering if I can get by using 1/2inch marine plywood instead of 3/4 inch. There is a big dieerence in the price of the two sizes in my area. The pontoon is a JC 23ft that is built very solid & thats why I was wondering if I could get by with using 1/2 inch plywood.
 
J

Jeep Man

Commander
Joined
Oct 17, 2008
Messages
2,803
Re: Pontoon Deck Thickness

IMO 1/2" would be too thin and would result i too much flexing. I would think the minimum would be 5/8". Good luck with the project.
 
twisterlodge

twisterlodge

Cadet
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
17
Re: Pontoon Deck Thickness

i would think thicker os better,. i built a toon using 40 plastic barrells and decked it with 2x12 fir. main stingers holding the floats are 4x10 tamarack

go big !!
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,761
Re: Pontoon Deck Thickness

Anything less than 3/4 inch and the running in rough water will be akin to trying to balance on one foot on a waterbed. The deck is part structural. Extreme flexing with 1/2 inch plywood will begin to stress and crack welds.
 
T

TheLucille

Cadet
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
25
Re: Pontoon Deck Thickness

twisterlodge said:
i would think thicker os better,. i built a toon using 40 plastic barrells and decked it with 2x12 fir. main stingers holding the floats are 4x10 tamarack

go big !!
Click to expand...

Any pics/details of this sucker? That's over 16,000 lbs of floatation. I'm thinking of building one myself for a party barge, complete with sand and a tiki bar.
 
VaGent

VaGent

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
221
Re: Pontoon Deck Thickness

Silvertip said:
Anything less than 3/4 inch and the running in rough water will be akin to trying to balance on one foot on a waterbed. The deck is part structural. Extreme flexing with 1/2 inch plywood will begin to stress and crack welds.
Click to expand...

I hadnot thought about that & it makes a lot of sense. I'll stick with the 3/4" & not have to worry about the stress cracks. Thanks to everyone for the advice.
 
5150abf

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Pontoon Deck Thickness

Ya, the wood on the deck is a major structural part of the boat,I don't think 1/2'' woould hold up for long and I am sure you don't want to do this again any time soon.

3/4'' is the norm.
 
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