89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

[Dogginfox]

I just started pulling up the carpet on a soft spot on the deck and found more and more rot as the carpet came up.

I will be replacing the stringers and the deck in the next few weeks. I have never re-done a boat before but I have rebuilt cars and know how to work with wood so I dont think its out of my ability.

I do have a few questions though.

Will 1.5oz Chopped strand mat work for the deck? How many layers???
I am planning on using Poly resin due to cost.

Sound good so far? Ill take some pics. post them and a few more questions soon.

 

[badkins50]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

Pics are great. Yeah I'm a first time boat owner I had to do the same thing except my stringers were in great shape since the boat was stored in a garage since 1994. It wasn't so bad. Just takes time, patients, respirator and cold showers (best to remove fiberglass from you). I coated the bottom of the replacement deck with resin first. Then coated the top of the replacement decking with resin, then installed a layer of 1.5 mat and 2 more coats of resin. Worked out perfect for my boat. Pay extra attention to the seams. I have pics in my album of before and after. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

since you're going to all that trouble, better make sure the transom is solid. check it real good, all over. i know i'd hate to install a brand new stringer system and deck then get out on the lake and find out my transom rotting. good luck.

 

[Dogginfox]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

Thanks for the Quick Responses!

Here are a few Pics I took when starting to pull the deck up. Ill get some more this weekend when I go out to the shop to work on it again.

What type of wood should I use for the Stringers?

Im thinking 1/2" Exterior Grade Ply for the deck with a resin coat on the bottom and resin coating the stringers? and liquid nails holding the deck to the stringers.

What should I use to cushion the hull/stringer connection? Silicon? Liquid Nails?

 

[Dogginfox]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

Took a few more pictures today.

Just a few Pictures to let everyone know what im up against. Any input or ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Dogginfox]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

Is PL Premium Polyurethane Tan Construction Adhesive an appropriate medium to bed new stringers in? Im thinking about bedding the stringers in this and using it to attach the deck to the stringers so I wont have any screw hole to allow water into the wood

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

Yes I'm pretty sure that's what many of our members are using. Nice looking boat. Well worth the effort to fix up.

 

[Robert4Winns]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

Nice looking boat. What you are finding appears typical for boats of that age.
PL Premium is good for bedding the stringers; just let it fully cure before glassing over it.
For the stringers and deck you should be okay if you duplicate what was there. My stringers were 3/4" solid lumber, but I am replacing them with 3/4 plywood since it is stronger and more stable.
Your boat may have originally been built with 1/2" exterior plywood for the deck, as mine was. Even though it was only 1/2" it felt really solid because of the foam underneath. If you are not going to replace the foam you may want a thicker plywood for the deck, depending on the span between the stringers.
Good luck with your project.

 

[Dogginfox]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

I got most of the old fiberglass out today and will be cutting the rest of it out and pulling up as much of the old deck, foam and stringers as possible tomorrow.

I went to Lows to see what the lumber situation was and found no exterior grade Ply that wasnt Soaking wet with Chemicals. What should I use to replace the stringers???

 

[lrcustom]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

I am using from Lowe's a 1/2" Hardwood plywood called blondewood. It is 7 ply with great workability and is very light weight. Mid 20's a sheet on cost. Very nice wood. I have let a piece of it sit in a bucket of rain water now for a month and it has not come apart. I have the bow of my Sea Ray partially built and glassed, and the forward stringers and floor done. This ply has worked vary well, cuts nice if the blades are sharp. I hope this helps.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

I'm SURE your Lowes has non-treated exterior ply. I have noticed that neither Lowes or HD are that great at labeling it. I know Lowes usually just has a small description that says "for interior projects" or "for interior or exterior projects".

 

[Dogginfox]

Re: 89 Wellcraft Classic 170 Deck Replacement

Ok its time to order my Fiberglass supplies!

Should I order CSM or Cloth for the Deck? Im going to use Poly resin to coat the stringers so I might as well use it for the Deck too.

Im thinking 20 yd/sq should be enough for a 17' boat deck replacement???