Look at this stuff

[jigngrub]

I'm going to redo the decking in my 17' Tracker and I want to get away from that nasty nappy dang carpet. I was surfing around the internet looking at composite decking and and stumbled on this stuff.

http://www.calibamboo.com/bambooplywood.html

Scroll down to the construction grade plywood, woven bamboo.

Looks like it would be some pretty good stuff with a unique apperance. They make bathroom vanity tops out of it and there's even a sink they made out of it in the photo gallery, so I'm taking it as pretty moisture resistant (if not waterproof).

The price doesn't look that bad either.

Just something I'm kicking around.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Look at this stuff

Call em and find out if the glue they laminate it with is 100% waterproof? See if it has UV protection? It's gunna need BOTH!!! I'm always open to experimenting and discovery but I will say right now...I'm skeptical!!!!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Look at this stuff

I did that and this idea is nixed.

The rep on the phone said the material was very water resistant, which was good. I wasn't that worried about the UV because the boat would be covered when I wasn't using it.

What put me off was when I told the rep what I was going to do with it he said he wouldn't recommend it for that because it had "air pockets" in it. I said voids? and he said yeah, voids.... so it's back to the old drawing board.

I'd like to put down the composite (plastic) decking, but that stuff is too expensive for me.

Anybody got any other ideas?

 

[saltwaterbluefish]

Re: Look at this stuff

Before giving up on it, ask for them to send you a sample. Then dunk it in some water for a few weeks and see what happens. If nothing else be a good way to direct people who might consider this path in the future.

The composite decking is expensive, but depending on what you are shooting for there may be other options. If you have an existing deck and just want to put something over it beside carpet you could try vinyl. They also make truck bed liner for the marine environment (rhinoliner...i think it is called). Another option if you already have a floor you could to use polyboard http://www.renewresources.com/plastic-lumber/ when i checked last it was around the same price as a piece of marine grade plywood (reason you would already need a floor is because this stuff is very flexible).

One final option if you are shooting for a wood look is to take a piece of plywood encase it in epoxy, then stain it. Saw it on a episode of ShipShape TV and the results were stunning.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Look at this stuff

hmmmmm.......................would the composite material they use for backyard decks work, or is that what you were referring to? Perhaps 2" x 6" laid on their sides to act as decking/planking or some kind of tongue and groove arrangement??? Maybe it's cheaper than a similar plastic composite designed especially for "marine" applications? Come to think of it, I seem to remember a thread where a guy made a solid floor out of pink/blue foam and skinned it with aluminum sheeting as the deck. It seemed to work well enough and was relatively cheap and certainly rot proof. I'll try to find the thread.

 

[saltwaterbluefish]

Re: Look at this stuff

The composite stuff for backyard decks like they sell at Lowes, would add a ton of weight to the boat. The polyboard is much lighter and i believe it does have some traction.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Look at this stuff

The composite decking for exterior decks is the stuff I was talking about, but it's $2.69 per linear foot for a 1"x 5 1/2" board... that's $21.52 for a single 8' board! It would cost me over $800 to deck my boat the way I want it, maybe more. I'm aware of the added weight and my boat can handle it. I have a 17' Tracker deep V that's good for 7 people or 1596 lbs. I hardly ever have 3 people fishing out of it and most of the time it's just me, and I'll have a friend come along every once in a while... so weight isn't a factor.

The existing decking in my boat is good, but the carpet needs replacing. I thought about vinyl, but don't think I want to go that route. The way my boat is setup now, I can completely disassemble it with a screwgun. The decking is screwed down through the carpet and that's the way I want to keep it incase I need to lift some or all of the decking to work on something below. Screwing the decking down through the vinyl twists the vinyl at the screws if you know what I mean.

I thought about stripping the carpet glue off the existing decking and refinishing it with an epoxy or urethane, but it's a pine plywood and will dent and ding easily. So that's out too.

I also thought about going with the paint on Tuff Stuff but I don't want to paint over the screw heads, and don't think it would look right with them exposed.

I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I'll find something.

 

[johnatwork]

Re: Look at this stuff

jigngrub .... what about the "Vinyl Deck" stuff used on sundecks and patios. It comes in rolls, it's glued down, any seams are sealed with a vinyl seam sealer and they say it is totally waterproof and most times goes over wood. Easy to lay, cuts with a razor knife and doesn't weigh very much. Probably available from a flooring shop or deck shop, maybe Lowes or the Depot even. Never tried it but might be an idea.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Look at this stuff

jigngrub .... what about the "Vinyl Deck" stuff used on sundecks and patios. It comes in rolls, it's glued down, any seams are sealed with a vinyl seam sealer and they say it is totally waterproof and most times goes over wood. Easy to lay, cuts with a razor knife and doesn't weigh very much. Probably available from a flooring shop or deck shop, maybe Lowes or the Depot even. Never tried it but might be an idea.

Do you have a link for that stuff John?

What do y'all think about vinyl covering the plywood and then fastening it down with pop rivets instead of screws so the vinyl won't twist? If I had to take up some of the decking I could just drill out the rivets and then replace them when I put the decking back down.

 

[saltwaterbluefish]

Re: Look at this stuff

Well check out the polyboard it may suprise you the difference in price and also weight depending on how much you need.

If you run out of options and going to paint it with non-skid, they make a gun that will will countersink the screw hole and make a button to put on top. I can't think of what it is called but I have seen it in action. It would atleast cover the screw hole and still give you access to the screw.

On Jonboats I have seen people use stainless latches attached to the aluminum seat and plywood to keep it from sliding. This also provides easy access may work in your case.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Look at this stuff

How about coosaboard or aluminum?

 

[johnatwork]

Re: Look at this stuff

Hey there Jigngrub,
Just looked up Dura Deck at ( http://www.duradek.com/ ). Check it out might work for you.