new deck on on 18' starcraft HELP!!

[us03mc]

Hey all i was putting a new deck on my 79 starcraft just bought 1/2 in plywood not treated because i heard that wasnt good for aluminum boats but i was wondering what kind of foam to use and where to get it for under the deck in the bilge please help THANKS

 

[howlnmad]

Re: new deck on on 18' starcraft HELP!!

The rigid pink panels from lowes or home depot will work. Just cut to fit and stack them in.

 

[howlnmad]

Re: new deck on on 18' starcraft HELP!!

Oh yeah, with the deck up now is a great time to address the seams and rivets. I think most of the starcraft club would probably advise using gluv-it.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: new deck on on 18' starcraft HELP!!

Hey welcome to the starcraft club us03mc

If you get a chance you should post some pics of the rig(we like to look at aluminum boats...and starcrafts in particular)

Also for the deck are you planning on sealing with epoxy to make sure you're not redoing this work in 5-10 years?

It is advised by the more experienced restorers on this site. Gluvit works but is quite costly, uscomposite.com is a good low-cost alternative to gluvit if ya are interested.

Good luck!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: new deck on on 18' starcraft HELP!!

Awwwww...
Welcome ABoard!

Theres the GOOD advice from Huron..

To clear up what you heard..Pressure Treated Plywood is bad for alum due to a copper alloy that is added in the chemical saturation. It will eventually (exactly HOW long, I dont know) pit corrode and eat away your alum..

UNTREATED regular exterior ply wont even go 5 years..You have to seal it one way or another. If you don't, you'll have warping, flexing, all the things that water does to wood....

You can seal it with Spar finish, thompsons water sealer or a deck sealer...
And get many years service...

For a last longer than you route..
You seal the wood with glass & resin, both sides.

And pics..we absolutley positively need pics!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: new deck on on 18' starcraft HELP!!

It is advised by the more experienced restorers on this site. Gluvit works but is quite costly, uscomposite.com is a good low-cost alternative to gluvit if ya are interested.

Good luck!

Gluvit is not as costly as doing the sealing with the wrong epoxy and having a mess that needs to be done again. A single 2 lb (aka the quart can) will do your entire boat (seams and rivets) There is no "alternative" that I have found....and none cheap enough to gamble with.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: new deck on on 18' starcraft HELP!!

Gluvit is not as costly as doing the sealing with the wrong epoxy and having a mess that needs to be done again. A single 2 lb (aka the quart can) will do your entire boat (seams and rivets) There is no "alternative" that I have found....and none cheap enough to gamble with.

Bob I was referring to sealing the plywood deck with epoxy rather than gluvit.

I agree that all aluminum rivets and seams should be sealed with gluvit, but at $45+ per quart it is more feasible to seal the plywood deck with epoxy at $22

I've heard of people sealing the entire deck with gluvit before, has anyone tried?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: new deck on on 18' starcraft HELP!!

Bob I was referring to sealing the plywood deck with epoxy rather than gluvit.

I agree that all aluminum rivets and seams should be sealed with gluvit, but at $45+ per quart it is more feasible to seal the plywood deck with epoxy at $22

I've heard of people sealing the entire deck with gluvit before, has anyone tried?

Oh my bad :redface: Yes gluvit is great on wood but so is gold leaf!!

Yup I would seal all the wood with poly resin (cheapest resin) or epoxy if I was feeling rich