[shorty28]

After lots of reading and asking questions, I think I have decided to redeck my pontoon with non-treated exterior plywood. I also plan to coat both sides with epoxy resin...but no cloth. Does anybody see any red flags with this method. Would anyone recommend not putting resin on the bottom so the floor can breath?? Thanks

[G DANE]

If you coat plywood with resin without cloth you might as well paint it. I really think paint would hold up better as resing used as paint, as resin tends to develop small cracks that will allow water to get in, but very slowly escape again.

[jtexas]

Here's a tip I got from West Marine the other day: if you're using fasteners on your floor, drill the holes oversize, fill 'em in with epoxy resin, then drill holes for your bolts in the resin - eliminates a source of water penetration into your floor.They also said that heating the wood up to 125 to 150 degrees with a heat gun after painting on the resin would speed up absorbtion and also cause it to absorb more resin more deeply.

[shorty28]

Thanks for the heads up, I assumed the cloth was for strength only. With my pontoon, the 3/4"ply screwed to 12" aluminum centers doesn't need much strength. I just want to avoid wood rot. What type of paint would you recommend.

[pjc]

Please consider using CPES, a penetrating epoxy that has an anti fungal (prevents rot) additive. IMO folks who encapsulate any wood in epoxy or other resin have a false sense of security. Moisture trapped in the wood upon encapsulation is just as prone to dry rot at non encapsulated wood. Encapsulation as I understand it is complete. Thus preventing any entrance of "air" oxygen, that is part of dry rot, or, fungal growth, or propagation. Seal 'er up good you may be good to go.Then paint wood with what is recommended by the CPES manufacturer.Just my opinion.Pat

[BillP]

Why are you not using pt ply? Non treated wood is prone to rot and using coatings to seal is ok until a tiny pinhole gets though and lets water in. I have a 20' pontoon boat and the deck is 3/4" pt ply with carpet glued down over it. It is 8 yrs old and still no rot worries. Check the structural engineering properties of cheap 3/4" pt ply before being worried about voids causing a problem on this application. http://www.apawood.org/

[beagletracker]

If you are serious think about adding liquid styrene to the resin. It will cause the resin to soak into the wood. In my opinion it would cause the wood fibers to be much stronger and resistant to rot.

[Bond-o]

I'd use 3/4" Pressure Treated..........It'll Last Longer than You, or the Boat.........I Agree......Coating with Unsupported Resin is a False Security.........