Good start to new year...got the deck cut

[tmcalavy]

Had time to burn today, so I got out the tools, plywood, clamps, and other plunder and got all four pieces of the deck cut and fitted in my early 60's Texas Maid 15 ft. aluminum runabout. That followed a new transom earlier this year. Got a question about the seams in the deck. If they don't even out where the panels meet by the time I get the deck installed, I was thinking about finding/getting a thin rubber mat to put on the deck? Any input on that idea? Sources for mat?

 

[maxum247]

Re: Good start to new year...got the deck cut

Depending on how much difference there is in height, you could put in shims as you lay the deck to bring the plywood up level. Or you could grind the plywood back at an angle, a scarf if you will, if there's not too much difference in height fill with thickened epoxy glue if you plan to glass the deck, two coats of resin on the bare wood seems to be the standard! Don't forget the edges also! Good Luck! and, Happy New Year!

 

[texfish]

Re: Good start to new year...got the deck cut

I just completed a deck repair and ran into your situation with a seam between 2 pieces of plywood was not exactly level. I mixed some epoxy resin, added enough filler to make it the consistency of peanut butter, then troweled it into the low side. Leveled it up fine and stiffened the joint. I then covered the plywood with cloth and resin. Good luck !

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Good start to new year...got the deck cut

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't planning to glass the deck, just paint it on both sides before installation. I'm using good, exterior grade ply. I know conventional wisdom is to glass the deck on both sides, but my budget is kinda tight right now...soon to be between jobs. The uneven deck seam is just at one spot, where one of the deck panels/ply seems a little bowed from not being stored flat. Guess I'll proceed with the flotation foam, paint, etc. and just see if it flattens out...or pull that panel out and put some weight on it after I lay it out flat, to see if it will unbow itself. Anyone ever used thin rubber mat on the deck? Any input is welcome.

 

[tylerr83]

Re: Good start to new year...got the deck cut

when framing or doing regualr carpentry work you can sometimes use additional screws to pull the plywood down to even it up and straighten out bows. I dont know if you can do this...but depending on where the stringers are you might be able to straighten it out that way....just be sure to seal all the screw holes with epoxy or something like that to keep the water out....i'm redoing the deck in my 71 starcraft sprint....its an aluminum boat also. instead of glassing the deck i'm going to cover it w/ marine vinyl like you can find in some bass boats. It runs about 20$ give or take a few per yard in length by 6 feet wide.

 

[GregE]

Re: Good start to new year...got the deck cut

...i'm redoing the deck in my 71 starcraft sprint....its an aluminum boat also. instead of glassing the deck i'm going to cover it w/ marine vinyl like you can find in some bass boats. It runs about 20$ give or take a few per yard in length by 6 feet wide.

Just curious, are you expoxying the wood before putting on the vinyl? Also, what vinyl are you going to use? I'm looking to deck my aluminum jon boat and anyone's experience with a particular product is always good info.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Good start to new year...got the deck cut

Thanks for the tip Tyler. You have a PM.

 

[tylerr83]

Re: Good start to new year...got the deck cut

i should have mentioned earlier, definately gonna epoxy the wood before installing it....gonna cut and fit the plywood pieces (gonna use foam core board as a template) and after thew wood is cut i will check it for fit, then take em back inside to hit both sides and all edges w/ west systems. then epoxy over the screws again to prevent water getting in there. For vinyl i might either use a floor vinal that cabelas supplies, or nautilex...either way its waterproof, good looking and uv resistant which is really important

 

[GregE]

Re: Good start to new year...got the deck cut

i should have mentioned earlier, definately gonna epoxy the wood before installing it....gonna cut and fit the plywood pieces (gonna use foam core board as a template) and after thew wood is cut i will check it for fit, then take em back inside to hit both sides and all edges w/ west systems. then epoxy over the screws again to prevent water getting in there. For vinyl i might either use a floor vinal that cabelas supplies, or nautilex...either way its waterproof, good looking and uv resistant which is really important

Sounds like a plan to me! If you get a chance as you progress, show it off here with some pics.