Boat decking options

[bigjake24]

Has anyone considered using OSB for a decking replacement project? I have a 15' Crestliner openbow that needs a new deck and I was thinking that OSB might be a good option, any thoughts?

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Boat decking options

If you mean Oriented Stand Boards...I wouldn't...get it wet and see what happens...even if sealed in epoxy or poly resin, the humid marine environment will eventually lead to deterioration, negating any initial savings...the added expense { 5-15 dollars more a sheet} of a good quality, exterior grade plywood, properly sealed, will be a much better investment...IMHO...
Best of luck and boat safe!
GT1M

 

[pckeen]

Re: Boat decking options

Hi Bigjake, welcome to iboats.

I assume that you are looking at this as you are on a budget.

I would avoid this. OSB lacks the structural strength of exterior grade plywood. I have found (in other projects), that OSB has a tendency to delaminate over time, which is bad. If you are trying to keep costs down, I would use exterior grade (non-treated) plywood. It is inexpensive, and much stronger.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Boat decking options

+1. OSB is a no-no in boats. I'd stick with marine grade and/or non-PT exterior grade plywood. The trick is to seal it properly so that there is little if any chance of rot in the future. Epoxy and fiberglass are your best bets, but can be a little pricey and messy to work with, if you're not used to it.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Boat decking options

Has anyone considered using OSB for a decking replacement project? I have a 15' Crestliner openbow that needs a new deck and I was thinking that OSB might be a good option, any thoughts?

I take it this is a fiberglass boat?

If that's the case then no, OSB wouldn't be a good choice... unless you're going to use epoxy resin instead of polyester resin, and then still maybe not a good choice.

A lot of OSB decking is made with phenolic formaldehyde resin for the adhesive which is basically an epoxy resin, and polyester resin won't stick to epoxy products.

To get a good build with OSB you need to know how that particular brand of board is made, and that'll take research.

The good OSB is made with the phenolic resin adhesive and rolled/compressed to size/thickness, this is a very dense and waterproof product with no inner voids like plywood. This grade of OSB is just about the same price as plywood, maybe just a tad cheaper.

The not so good OSB is made with a cheaper adhesive and instead of being compressed to size/thickness it's sanded to size/thickness. This product isn't as dense or waterproof as the superior grade and will be the cheaper stuff you see on the racks at the store and it'll have one smooth side.

There have been advances made in the production quality of OSB and you can even get some with a 25 yr. warranty.
23/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. OSB Tongue and Groove Flooring Board-920924 at The Home Depot

 

[bigjake24]

Re: Boat decking options

Thank you for all the replies, marine grade plywood it will be.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Boat decking options

Hi Bigjake - the best price I've found on Marine Grade was in Menards. Given that you are looking at good quality plywoods, your other option is Aurco ply, which, quality wise, is somewhere between Marine and exterior grade. Marine is definitely the best, however. Just be aware that you still have to seal it, just like any other ply. Some use epoxy (the best option), others have used marine or spar varnish, with good success.