Need direction on fastening

[Helibob1966]

What is the recommended hardware to use to secure decking to structure? Four Winns used long staples, lame!

 

[harleyman1975]

I assume that you are fastening plywood to the stingers? need more info.

 

[ezmobee]

Deck screw will work fine

 

[gm280]

I actually didn't use any hardware fasteners to secure my floor to the stringers and bulkheads/ribs. I used a lot of cinder blocks until the Peanut Butter mixture cured. They are they to stay. Especially when you tab the sides into the hull. JMHO

 

[Helibob1966]

I assume that you are fastening plywood to the stingers? need more info.

You are correct. Also some bracing attaching to the bulkheads, 15/32 ply

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Ceramic coated deck crews will work. SS screws will also work. No matter what you do, don't screw the deck to the stringers directly. Glue and bolt some cleats made out of cedar decking blanks (the looks like 2 x 4s but made out of cedar) to the stringers and bulkheads and drive your screws into these cleats not into the stringers. You can seal the cleats with mix of linseed oil and varnish if you want

 

[Woodonglass]

If you predrill the holes and then coat the holes and the screws with sealant like 3M 5200 you can use plain ole' Deck Screws to attach the deck to the stringers. All the other methods will work just as well. this is the Easiest if you glass your stringers in properly and then do proper maintenance and repairs it will last for decades.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Ceramic coated deck crews will work. SS screws will also work. No matter what you do, don't screw the deck to the stringers directly. Glue and bolt some cleats made out of cedar decking blanks (the looks like 2 x 4s but made out of cedar) to the stringers and bulkheads and drive your screws into these cleats not into the stringers. You can seal the cleats with mix of linseed oil and varnish if you want

Just for my own curiosity, why not screw the deck directly to the stringers. Don't mean to hi-jack, trying to learn as I have my own project coming up. Seems like a lot of extra work to attach cleats just to mechanically fasten them in the same manner as you would the deck.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Simply because water is like life... it always finds its own way. If you use cleats, you are securing the stringers in case water start seeping in around the screw, it doesn't get to the stringers core. I prefer to glass the stringers fully and then use 5200 to glue the cleat to the glassed stringer and drive 1/4 bolt with lock nut every 18-24 inch. I inject 5200 into the drilled hole for each bolt and cover the last 3/4 inch of the bolt with painter tape and pass it through. When it comes from the other side, I remove the tape and have clean threads to put the nut. Some people may consider this an overkill but this is just how I do it

 

[JASinIL2006]

I used stainless steel screws. Every coated or galvanized screw I've seen rusted eventually.

 

[Scott Danforth]

we as home builders and repair guys can use screws, staples, cement blocks or what ever needed. however in a factory situation where they need something quick to hold it until the resin cures because they need something to keep labor and installation cost down, they would use staples which is very common with wood structure under glass.

remember, fiberglass boats have a design life of about 10 years where the mechanical systems will have been worked on, the trim replaced and the structure will start to need attention. yes, many boats outlive their design life, then again, many boats sit in someones garage never to see water more than 4 times a year.

 

[Helibob1966]

The plan for this boat is to get the wife and I acclimated to maneuvering, boat etiquette etc and then in a couple years we will upgrade to a cuddy or cruiser. I'm not going to go overkill on securing the deck.

 

[Woodonglass]

If you pre-drill and coat the holes and all fasteners with Resin or 3M5200, and then take good care of the boat, It'll last longer than you will use it. The screw heads will be covered with resin and glass and Paint or Gelcoat. As long as you monitor your deck and repair any cracks of defects in a timely manner There's no way for water to get to the stringers. When I bought my boat (she's 56 years old) It had been stored in a barn and covered all it's life Deck and Transom were Solid as the day she was built. If you do the same with your boat, you should get the same results.
No worries on screwing into the stringers as long as you follow the proper steps.