Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

[troyt]

I have read all of the post here about using plywood for decking, tons of great info. I am going to make a storage area (first project) for the front of my Gheenoe and do not need the strength(or weight) of plywood as a core. I was thinking of using lanau or foam board to shape a core and then glassing inside and out with chop strand or 6 oz. cloth and resin. I really don't want to make a mold for one piece. Any pitfalls I should be aware of? BTW, I got to see two new custom Gheenoes unmolded yesterday at their factory. This is awesome glass work: www.customgheenoe.com<br />Tahnks!!

 

[crab bait]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

i don't know if you ever made anything an fiberglassed it.. but if'n you did,, you'd sure use plywood or some other almost-ready-to-finish medium..

 

[troyt]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

Thanks Crab Bait. I went to Lowes today looking for that "something else" and ended up with 1/2" BC exterior plywood. Nothing else was rigid enough. Another question: After I build this storage area, I am going to attach it to the sides and bottom using fiberglass tape and resin. The sides and bottom are fiberglass with that "white paint with black splatters" finish. Can I just sand down to glass, or should I grind in a little?

 

[crab bait]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

i'd go 'little'.. i'd use epoxy .. polyester doesn't take to cure polyester very well.. <br /><br />if'n you want to 'match-the-hatch',, go back to loews an get a white & black marblizer paint pack.. in the paint section.. it really works & easy to do..!! for less then 10 bucs..

 

[troyt]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

Thanks again Crab Bait, I was wondering how to "match the hatch" to that finish. Just started, here are some pictures of the area and a quick cardboard mock-up:<br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/024673.jpg <br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/024671.JPG <br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/024670.JPG <br />Working on the real cardboard template, and then on to the plywood.

 

[troyt]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

Cut and joined the plywood, and glassed the top side, some pics:<br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/026598.JPG <br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/026597.JPG

 

[troyt]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

A few more layers of resin, rough sanding between, a top coat of white tinted resin, a white paint coat, and then the splatter coat:<br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/027689.jpg <br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/027690.jpg

 

[hayhauler]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

Wow, the Gheenoe has come a long way. My first boat was a Gheenoe, I bought it in 1982, and traded it in on a deck boat in 1990. I just couldn't see raising my infant son in a boat that was barely a foot deep. He's sixteen now, and he just saw his first pictures of a <br />Gheenoe, what did he say? "I wish we had one of those." I like your mods GN, but I was amazed by what some of the people on the Gheenoe website were doing with them.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

do not need the strength(or weight) of plywood as a core. [/QB]

Then styrofoam covered by a single layer of epoxy resin/cloth or mat should do you a great job. If the box needs to have hinges or braces screwed down to it--<br /><br />dig out a bit of the styrofoam, lay in a little block of wood that's a inch or so bigger than the hinge or brace near the spot it attaches, and glass it in. <br /><br />It should work great, that's basically how they do the transoms on fiberglass boats.

 

[HankFish]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

Originally posted by Glass Newbie:<br /> A few more layers of resin, rough sanding between, a top coat of white tinted resin, a white paint coat, and then the splatter coat:<br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/027689.jpg <br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/027690.jpg

 

[HankFish]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

Originally posted by HankFish:<br />

Originally posted by Glass Newbie:<br /> A few more layers of resin, rough sanding between, a top coat of white tinted resin, a white paint coat, and then the splatter coat:<br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/027689.jpg <br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/027690.jpg

 

[HankFish]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

Hi,<br />I saw your article and pictures of your gheenoe modification. It looks great. Thank you for sharing your ideas. I would like a little more detail and list the materials used for your spatter paint job. Keep the pictures of your project coming. Thanks again.<br /><br />Hank

 

[Realgun]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

That is realy very nice however how are you going to attach it to the boat er gheenoe?

 

[troyt]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

Sorry I haven't posted lately, but here are the final two steps:<br />

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<br />

 

[troyt]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

Hankfish,<br />Check this thread that I started. Source for Kryon splatter paint at the end.<br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=26;t=001714#000000 <br />P.S. Hope you made it through Francis okay...

 

[jheron]

Re: Non-Structural Deck Hatch - Substrate Alternatives

Nice job Glass Newbie! <br />Dont forget to drill a hole so the water can get outa your new compartment. <br />Regards Jon