HDPE plastic for swim platform

[rblunk1970]

Just wanted to know if any of you experts have looked at using HDPE plastic "boards" for your swim deck.
I have the opportunity to purchase a 3/4" thick sheet that measures 13" wide by 75" long for under $80.00. This price would include them cutting it down to .75 thick x 2" x 73.5 boards to make my swim platform with .5" gap between them. Any information any of you have would be greatly appreciated.
Below is a picture of the material, This is the same stuff they use to make high end commercial cutting boards. It is easily grooved with a router to create a non slip surface.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

It should work well.
tips for install, any anchoring points and fasteners need to have flat contacts no tapered screws and any hole drilled to countersink should be done with a forestner bit or at least a wood bit to produce a flat non tapered contact point or your bolts or screws or rivets will work through the material over time. Next it’s not very rigid I’d probably over brace its framing or make the strips a lot wider than two inches or your going to find them sagging or even the screws pulling through them. My own boat I did it in one piece it sheds water fine. It also doubles as a salmon filet station as well with enough room to process a number of fish I just bleach it when I’m done. built that one in 98 and it’s still in great shape.

I like rivets for a swim deck the large Gm window regulator rivets are perfect for it and readily available at a parts store.
when you drill your countersink hole a drill press is best because your hole will be true in angle and your depth will be controlled better than with a drill stop of some kind.
a router is fine to put traction grooves in it but a table saw will be faster and easier to set up. just make sure your depth us right. Ive made several swim decks out of starboard.

 

[rblunk1970]

Awesome, thanks for all the suggestions, I will definitely use them. Any photos that you have of your swim platform would be great to see. Again thanks for all your assistance as this is my first boat and my better half really wants a full length swim platform instead of the two separate ones and the price that I had seen for King Starboard was a little high for my beer pocket book. So since this is essentially the same product without the King Starboard name, I figured I would at least try it during the up coming offseason.

 

[tpenfield]

You could go with a solid piece instead of slats. I believe HPDE is available with a non-skid surface, or you can add one.

Support of the platform form underneath will be important.

 

[dingbat]

When using Starboard (HPDE) make sure to accommodate the materials high rate of thermal expansion of 1/32” per foot per a 40 degree F temp swing

Mounting holes need to be slotted and the connection must allow for movement or it will bow.

https://www.tapplastics.com/image/pdf/WorkingwithKingStarBoard.pdf

 

[Scott Danforth]

make sure its UV resistant HDPE or you will be replacing it in a year when it gets brittle and breaks.