Help Needed on repair

[HHK]

To All:

I have aquired a boat that "needed some love" and have started working on the repair. The boat is solid through out the hull and transom. The rear top of the boat which has two live wells and the battery compartment that has/had a soft top and had cracked in several places.

I spent saturday removing the whole damaged area and am ready to replace this correctly. I am mechanically inclined and have successfully completed projects my whole life. I am totally confused over the neccessary products needed to to this correctly.

Hopefully the two pictures I attached will appear and all can see what I am referring too. In these pictures you can see the damaged areas and as I mentioned to remove this damage I had to basically remove the "top" of the whole area.

I saved the live well covers as they were in very good condition. I need to build a "top that covers the rear and provides access to the live wells. I had planned to use a 5/8" sheet of marine plywood and treat in properly for longevity purposes.

I took the 4 x 8 sheet of plywood and laid to over the rear and when cut to the correct shape, it could be one piece with the appropriate "cut outs" for the live wells and batteries.

I have created a templete with cardboard which can be placed on the wood so a "cut to fit" is possible. That is this afternoons project provided weather permits (We live in Florida and it hasn't stopped raining)

There is so much information on products that I am in "information overload". Once I get this repair resolved, I am sanding and preparing to paint the entire interior of the boat.

What do I really need to do this correctly? I would really appreciate the forum's assistance. I have three boys, one is a leukemia survivior eager to fish and I intend to keep this boat for some time.

I thank you in advance for you replys and guidence.

Take Care,

HHK

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Help Needed on repair

Welcome to iBoats!
Congratulations to your BOY! We gotta get that boat ready to take him fishin!!!! You do NOT have to use expensive Marine grade plywood unless you want to. Ext. Grade Plywood uses the same waterproof glue as the marine grade. Basic difference is that Marine grade ply has no Voids in the wood and is a little stronger and wood choice is a little better looking. Anyway you will be covering it with fiberglass cloth and resin so both of them will last longer than you will have the boat. Once you get the deck cut out buy two gallons of either polyester or epoxy resin. Epoxy is stronger but twice the price but easier to use. Coat the wood with the resin. If you use Poly make sure to get the UN-waxed variety or you will need to sand between coats which is a PITA. www.USComposites.com is a great source for your fiberglass supplies. After coating the wood, lay down a layer of 1708 Biax cloth on Both sides of the deck and wrap the edges as well and wet it all out. Give the cloth two coats or resin. Slop some paint on her and Voila' You have a new deck that will last longer than the rest of the boat.

Now get busy and "Git er Dun" and take that boy fishin!!!!

I'm just sayin...