Can I raise the deck?

[ttrstudios]

Hello all! I am new to this forum. I'm sure as soon as I ask this question, you will notice that I'm new.
I am restoring a 1989 Maxum Cuddy Cabin. I have searched the forum and watched 100's of videos from guys in here but haven't come across the answer I'm looking for. I am at the point in the build to where I'm about to set the new stringers but what I'd like to do is raise the deck height about 3". the reason for doing this is because I feel like there would be more support for the floor on the outsides. BUT, where I am getting confused is I am reading where you don't want the deck touching the hull. Is this correct? Because if not, the what's the difference in the wood touching or the fiberglass "peanut butter" as friscoboater says. So if anyone has any info on this, I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, Thank you so much for this forum. It has helped me in so many ways.

 

[flipbro]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

Build it back to original deck height And tab it back to the hull is all the strenth you need!! This post would get a few more hits in the resto forum!!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

First rule of posting questions is we need pics of what you're working on and your progress so far so we can see what you see.

More info on the boat would help us help you better, info on length and width of beam will help us help you too.

When you say raise the deck 3" are you talking about the deck in the cuddy or the main deck?

 

[Decker83]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

Welcome to the dry docks ttrstudios..:welcome:

If you let the plywood come in direct contact will the hull it will create a hard spot.. When your on the lake and running through
all the waves and pounding the hull really hard, this can cause the hard spots to crack or even break..

Putting the right PB (peanut butter) between the hull and the plywood it gives the hull a chance to flex and not crack or break..

Hope this helps..

Make a free photobucket account and post up some pics..

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

Most of the time you can put the deck height wherever you want, 3" higher should be fine. I say this with out looking at it though.

 

[flipbro]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

Most of the time you can put the deck height wherever you want, 3" higher should be fine. I say this with out looking at it though.

Sounds like the hull my have a lip and he wants to set the deck on that lip to give it more stength at the sides! Is that the only reason you want to raise the deck? To me this does not sound like a good idea!!

 

[ttrstudios]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

First and foremost I apologize. I thought I put this in the right forum topic.

Second, I will get some pics up ASAP.

And third, I am completely new to boating. I have the background or skills should I say, to do this "restoration" but I don't have the vocabulary down just yet.

By length and width of beam, I assume you mean length and width of the boat. It is 19' X 7'4". And yes I just want to raise the main deck.

flipbro, you are correct. The hull does have a lip and it made sense to rest the deck there for support. So if you don't mind, could you explain why it is a bad idea? I understand what Decker is saying to a point but does the PB not get hard to cause the same hard spot?

I will get some pics up real soon.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

The hull does have a lip and it made sense to rest the deck there for support. So if you don't mind, could you explain why it is a bad idea? I understand what Decker is saying to a point but does the PB not get hard to cause the same hard spot?

I will get some pics up real soon.

The "hard" spot isn't actually a spot that is hard as in "hard as a rock" and you're correct in thinking the PB gets just as hard or harder than the wood touching the hull.

The "hard" spot is actually a spot where the wood sits down hard on the hull without any adhesive under it and this isn't good because it can lead to the cracking of the bond of the wood to hull joining. The PB or adhesive needs to be continuous between the wood and hull for the best bond and performance. No gaps or deleted areas.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

I suspect you'll be using fiberglass and resin to attach your floor to the hull sides. When the resin cures it shrinks thereby "pulling" your floor tighter against the hull. That's what causes the "hard spot" everyone is talking about. In my years of boat building we used lots of different things to stop that from happening on new hulls. Such as thin strips of polyurethane foam strips, corrugated cardboard, Coremat, balsa, etc. We also just suspended the stringers and floor a tiny bit above the hull and went ahead and glassed them in. PB is popular on this site for the purpose of having things touching each other, but since it gets nearly as hard as the resin your going to use I'm not a big fan. PB, because of the fillers used does not develop quite the Barcol as plain resin but close. Raising your floor is not a problem, just remember your raising the center of gravity and lowering your inside height to the gunwale a bit. I would just leave the floor a little bit away from the hull (1/8-1/4") and let it sit on the lip. You could put a small strip of cardboard under the wood that will crush when the resin cures (or better, some polyurethane or other styrene resistant foam), but I don't think that's necessary. Tab it to the hull with some 1708, 6" wide 3" on the floor and 3" on the hull. Then a full floor glassing that extends 3" past the tabbing you already did so you have 6" up the side of the hull. When it all cures it will pull the floor to the hull a bit but since the wood is softer than the existing hull its not going to be a problem IMHO

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

The floor is placed where it is only due to the person designing it, it was normal to have it as low as possible to create more room inside and for higher sides, people feel more comfortable with higher sides. Lowering it can be a problem due to stringer heights, fuel tank dimensions and such, raising it doesn't have these problems, but there may be some other things you need to work around.

If the only reason you want to raise it is to reach the lip, it's not really worth it, it didn't fail in its first 25 years of life, so there shouldn't be a problem with the next 25. But, if you do feel you need to raise it, it's not a problem.

 

[ttrstudios]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

Here are some pics.

If You'll notice, there is a lip on the side. That is where I wanted to raise the deck to. It's only 3" but still not sure now after reading Georgesalmons comment.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

Seeing your helm setup, I don't think you'll be comfortable when operating the boat. 3" is going to take away a lot of knee room under the steering wheel unless you adjust the helm seat accordingly... and then getting in and out of the seat isn't going to be comfortable.

 

[ttrstudios]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

Thanks for the info guys. Guess I'll just put it back the way it was. but just so we are on the same page, I am not to let the deck touch the hull correct? just leave 1/8" or 1/4" between the hull and the deck and stuff it with PB. is this correct?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

" the reason for doing this is because I feel like there would be more support for the floor on the outsides."


If the only reason to raise the floor is so there is more support, then forget about it, it will be of no real value, only negatives.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

Thanks for the info guys. Guess I'll just put it back the way it was. but just so we are on the same page, I am not to let the deck touch the hull correct? just leave 1/8" or 1/4" between the hull and the deck and stuff it with PB. is this correct?

Yes, fill the gap/void/crack with PB and make a cove fillet. Then tab the deck to the hull and glass the deck in after that.

http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...go-splashed-w-pics-384982-25.html#post3586813

 

[ttrstudios]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

Ok. Understood on the deck. Now my next question is this. I am not planning on going back with the original design on this boat. It had the forward and rear jump seats and the rear had two seats separated by the engine cover. I don't like this look. So I plan on building a light weight engine cover/sun deck all the way across with a bench seat in front of it with storage under the seats. I didn't see this being a problem but obviously I've been wrong before. Has anyone had any run-ins with anything like this or can think of any problems?

 

[old islander]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

You can configure the rear any way you wish, as long as you remember GOOD ventilation to any enclosed areas you create. Engine and bilge ventilation is a must have and don't be afraid to overkill the ventilation in that area. Battery storage area should also be vented well. Also, any storage areas you create IMHO should also be ventilated. This would be to prevent mildew and possible future rot.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

You can layout however you wish..just put the bulkheads back close to where they were then design and build around those.

I just did one of these and glad to see you stuck with putting the deck back at the chine.

YD.

 

[ttrstudios]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

Thanks guys for your help.

 

[73Chrysler105]

Re: Can I raise the deck?

I also agree to put the deck back where it was. It was there for a reason there is support on those sides where it rests. if you raised to to the lip there is not much support there. There is the lip but that is not really a support section. Then there are the other things mentioned.

I have struggled with raising my floor to clear a new tank I am installing under the floor instead of under the bow above the deck like it was originally. The top of the tank is just under the deck which is good but all the connections would then be above the deck. I think I have decided to mount it with those to the rear so they will be hidden under the rear seat and I can build a dog house around those.