decking boards for casting deck?

[catfighter]

I'm asking this question to get feedback, either positive or negative, about my idea.

My idea is this: fabricate a casting deck out of 1x6 treated decking boards. The reason I'm thinking these boards is that they're lightweight (yes, lighter than treated plywood), they last literally for decades, they will drain well to the bilge, you have good traction when standing, and I don't care about waterproofing underneath.

I use my boat predominantly for catfish, so a carpet will be ruined about 1/3 the way through a season. Also, as you can see by my boat, it's not much of a looker as it is, so I'm not worried about aesthetics.


With my above application in mind, if you don't think decking boards is a good idea, please let me know a better alternative that you might suggest.


Thanks!

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

I think they sould work fine.
Just a word of caution, Those boards are very wet when you buy them and they warp badly unless well secured.

You may consider using dry wood and sealing it with an epoxy or resin of some kind. Just to keep it a little more stable over the long haul.

 

[catfighter]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

Good advice. I plan to use stainless screws and put them on not more than a 13" span. I don't really have much to buy, either, so I hope to get all edge-grained boards (they warp the least). Hopefully that will keep them from warping altogether!

 

[BWR1953]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

There was a guy locally on craigslist trying to sell a boat fixed up with decking like that.

It did look really odd and the boat was for sale for months. Don't know if he ever got rid of it or not.

 

[catfighter]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

I spent so little on my boat that I could pretty much give it away after a few seasons. Remember, it's a catfish boat . . . and as we all know, to be successful, your boat has to be uglier than the catfish you're trying to catch.

 

[catfighter]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

So I was looking at ideas again for this deck and I think I found another solution:

Exterior HardiePanels

they're super strong, lightweight, waterproof, very thin, and already have a good pattern and texture for traction!

The other idea I had was composite decking boards, but I would easily end up spending $70 on that stuff.

 

[bitterboater]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

Uhm, catfighter, you do not want to use fiber cement panels for your casting deck. They are very flimsy, absorb water(when laid flat), and will snap like tooth pics when stepped on.

I am guessing that you boat is made from aluminum? Treated material does not react well with aluminum.

Your best bet for a casting deck is going to be good old cdx plywood painted on both sides (at least a couple coates) or polyed and glassed on both sides, to resist water intrusion.

For more ideas, keep looking in this section. Lots of people have rebuilt\modified tinnies.

 

[catfighter]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

For more ideas, keep looking in this section. Lots of people have rebuilt\modified tinnies.

My boat is actually fiberglass, but I think I'm sticking with the composite board idea. It's going to last forever, won't absorb water at all, and is already colored.

 

[bitterboater]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

My boat is actually fiberglass, but I think I'm sticking with the composite board idea. It's going to last forever, won't absorb water at all, and is already colored.

Sorry for thinking tinny.
The comp. decking is very good for a (home) deck, not so much for a boat. It is very rigid, yes, but also very very heavy. I work with it regularly (I work for a building supply co.). You still have to consider weight when you consider what to use for a casting deck (lots of weight on the bow).

The CDX I suggested before will outlast you boat (if prepared properly), not weigh even half as much, is half the price, and is just a rigid as comp. decking.
It is also much more forgiving if you miscut a piece.

 

[rirory]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

dear catfish guy-

i just helped a buddy do the same on a 16' aluminum jon boat last month.
H-depot sells recycled plastic decking boards which worked great. They are a little slick when wet so we used a cut-off grinder to make a few neat slits for traction. We spaced the boards 5/16'' apart . He has fished 3 times w/ it and loves it.

good luck

ri rory

 

[catfighter]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

You have convinced me.

I'm building the frame tomorrow and hopefully I can fit the plywood tomorrow as well, put 3 coats of spar varnish on it, and drop it in. I also think I'll use a marine carpet as well; if it gets too dirty I'll either rip it out or take it to a car wash and blast-wash it, heheh.

 

[catfighter]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

dear catfish guy-

i just helped a buddy do the same on a 16' aluminum jon boat last month.
H-depot sells recycled plastic decking boards which worked great. They are a little slick when wet so we used a cut-off grinder to make a few neat slits for traction. We spaced the boards 5/16'' apart . He has fished 3 times w/ it and loves it.

good luck

ri rory

uh oh, maybe I haven't made up my mind!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: decking boards for casting deck?

I built some removable decking for my 12' aluminum boat out of some scrap pine planks. I then sealed it with spar varnish and it's worked out pretty well.

My resto thread has some photos in the link below if ya want to see what I came up with. They are pretty solid platforms and have helped stability.

Good luck