Pontoon Re-Deck Job

[rebelx5150]

Hey guys I need to redeck our pontoon. Were almost ready to thaw out in Michigan. I plan to use 3/4 " marine grade plywood but not sure if I trust menards as a source. The brand they carry is roseburg. I've been trying to find aracao but can't find any near here. My other question is on coating this marine grade sheeting. I read a lot about epoxy but can't seem to find a write up or brand to use. We've been considering using a silicone air and water barrier instead of epoxy / glass. Has anyone tried this? Thanks and sorry if my searches were ineffective.

 

[Woodonglass]

Menards Marine grade is fine. Pricey but fine. A Good Ext. Grade would suffice. Epoxy is the the best sealer also PRICEY!!!! Check with some local body shops and see if they can give you a source for epoxy resin in bulk you'll need 5 Gallons+

 

[Scott Danforth]

Arauco does not make marine plywood

Menards Premium Exterior plywood is Arauco. I have my father bring a few sheets down from Wisconsin when he comes since I cant get it here in Florida as neither Lowes or Home Depot carries it.

 

[rebelx5150]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/272248982059 would this be acceptable? Silicone will bond to epoxy. I just don't want to do this again, once is enough haha.

 

[ezmobee]

That looks like a pretty solid deal on epoxy to me. I used Clark Craft when I did mine and I just checked the their prices are a good bit higher.

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhmm...NO!! You must use Marine Grade Epoxy. This is some good stuff. http://www.ebay.com/itm/EPOXY-RESIN-...-/221376042360
Where are you located?? I wouldn't./Couldn't advise anyone to use any Silicone based product on any kind of watercraft!..

 

[ezmobee]

Woodonglass are you sure that stuff the OP linked is no good? It says a brand name of Pro Marine Supplies on the bottles? Also have some UV inhibitors in it which while I wouldn't trust to not still paint or cover I'd at least think it's be good for outside use. Like I said I did my deck with Clark Craft epoxy and it was really nice to work with, I bummed some off a buddy to finish my transom and I'm pretty sure that was Max Bond and it was much stickier and harder to work with. At that price I'd absolutely go with the Clark Craft. http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-supplies/shop.pl?type=topic&topic_name_value=epoxy_resin

 

[bruceb58]

See how much pontoonstuff.com wants for their plywood.

I would not seal the plywood.

 

[MH Hawker]

sealing it is bad, that traps moisture and make it rot, it needs air to breath, t will last 20 plus years as is

i will hang around if you need help

 

[Woodonglass]

Woodonglass are you sure that stuff the OP linked is no good? It says a brand name of Pro Marine Supplies on the bottles? Also have some UV inhibitors in it which while I wouldn't trust to not still paint or cover I'd at least think it's be good for outside use. Like I said I did my deck with Clark Craft epoxy and it was really nice to work with, I bummed some off a buddy to finish my transom and I'm pretty sure that was Max Bond and it was much stickier and harder to work with. At that price I'd absolutely go with the Clark Craft. http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-supplies/shop.pl?type=topic&topic_name_value=epoxy_resin

My understanding is that BarTop Epoxy is not suitable for Marine use. Even though it has UV stabilizers in it, the formula for the resin can be significantly different than what is used to make Marine Grade. I'd for sure recommend contacting the MFG to see what they say but...If it were for Marine use, one would think they would specifially advertise it as suitable for such usage. I'm NOT an expert, but from what I've gleaned from ondarvr and personal research, I'd be reluctant to think this is an appropriate product. But being an Old Dumb Okie I'be been Wrong many times before.

 

[Woodonglass]

I've researched the "Breathing" Non-Sealed plywood debate and from what I've learned, I'm of the opinion that NOT sealing plywood, that will be used in a Marine environment, is NOT Advisable, If it's NOT sealed Water will penetrate via the edges and once it gets to the inner layers It won't dry out. Having said this, Epoxy or any other sealer is NOT 100% foolproof. If the encapsulation is Breached in any manner, water will get to the wood. the Epoxy will, in this case hold the water in much more significantly. Either way if the wood gets wet, internally, if WILL eventually rot. Even Marine Grade Plywood. All things taken into account...I'd seal it.

It's every ones choice. Really No RIGHT Answer.

 

[fishrdan]

I wouldn't use raw (untreated) plywood on a pontoon boat, sealed or not. Every penetration will need to be completely sealed or any moisture that gets in will be trapped inside, to rot the untreated wood.

Doug fir marine plywood will rot, but Arauco is horrid for marine use, unless it's completely sealed. Arauco plywood is made from radiata pine, which is highly susceptible to rot. I like Arauco for home projects, but not marine stuff.

Pontoon decking Bruce mentioned is CCA treated plywood and the stuff you want to get, much different than ACQ (green) treated plywood that will find at your local big box hardware store. Some outdoor stores can order it, Gander Mountain last I looked.

I made the mistake of using untreated doug fir marine plywood in my boat, but I treated it with a borate solution, then Jasco Termin8 since I wasn't convinced on the borate treatment.

 

[fishrdan]

Here you go:

http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...8-each&i=76126

 

[bruceb58]

I've researched the "Breathing" Non-Sealed plywood debate and from what I've learned, I'm of the opinion that NOT sealing plywood, that will be used in a Marine environment, is NOT Advisable, If it's NOT sealed Water will penetrate via the edges and once it gets to the inner layers It won't dry out. Having said this, Epoxy or any other sealer is NOT 100% foolproof. If the encapsulation is Breached in any manner, water will get to the wood. the Epoxy will, in this case hold the water in much more significantly. Either way if the wood gets wet, internally, if WILL eventually rot. Even Marine Grade Plywood. All things taken into account...I'd seal it.

It's every ones choice. Really No RIGHT Answer.

I don't know if you have ever owned a pontoon boat before but there are so many holes that get drilled into the plywood deck, even if you did fantastic job of sealing the plywood, you have a hundred holes that are going to get drilled into it when you count the furniture, the railings and the console. Water will be getting into the wood from the top.

Way different than the floor of a fiberglass boat.

 

[Woodonglass]

I Totally understand about the amount of holes but...It's still a fact that any water penetration is NOT a good thing and again, just my opinion, sealed is better than not. It might be a PITA but Any holes drilled can also be filled and sealed. Factory won't take the time but a restorer could. The NEW CCA Plywood is supposed to have a Heck of a warranty but it IS pricey Might be worth it NOT to have to attempt to fill the holes and maintain them. Just doesn't make sense to me to lay down bare plywood and then cover it with carpet/vinyl and allow water to soak on it.

 

[bruceb58]

Just doesn't make sense to me to lay down bare plywood and then cover it with carpet/vinyl and allow water to soak on it.

Every single pontoon maker does it without sealing the plywood. Maybe they do it for cost cutting and maybe they do it because its a better way. You would have to ask them.

For example, if you are drilling holes for a fence, you are doing it after the vinyl or carpet has been put down. Not even sure how good you could seal the hole after you do that.

Curious...have you ever owned a pontoon boat or familiar with the construction?

There was a thread a long time ago in iboats where one of the posters worked for Bennigton for many years. He also said not to use epoxy on the plywood. I think I would follow his recommendation.

 

[bruceb58]

https://www.pontoonstuff.com/collect...-grade-plywood

You can get a discount using a pontoon forum discount.

It has free shipping.

 

[Woodonglass]

The OP Asked for Opinions. I gave Mine you gave yours. I'll let it stand at that.

 

[rebelx5150]

I wouldn't use raw (untreated) plywood on a pontoon boat, sealed or not. Every penetration will need to be completely sealed or any moisture that gets in will be trapped inside, to rot the untreated wood.

Doug fir marine plywood will rot, but Arauco is horrid for marine use, unless it's completely sealed. Arauco plywood is made from radiata pine, which is highly susceptible to rot. I like Arauco for home projects, but not marine stuff.

Pontoon decking Bruce mentioned is CCA treated plywood and the stuff you want to get, much different than ACQ (green) treated plywood that will find at your local big box hardware store. Some outdoor stores can order it, Gander Mountain last I looked.

I made the mistake of using untreated doug fir marine plywood in my boat, but I treated it with a borate solution, then Jasco Termin8 since I wasn't convinced on the borate treatment.

Haha so I'm more confused than when I started now. Fishrdan would the gander mountain stuff need to be sealed? The reason for silicone is its vapor permeable so it will let moisture out if it find's it's way into the wood.

 

[rebelx5150]

https://www.pontoonstuff.com/collect...-grade-plywood

You can get a discount using a pontoon forum discount.

It has free shipping.

I think I will use this.