Plywood Casting Deck-Best Wood Treatment?

[Fisherball]

I decided to install a plywood casting deck on my 16? bowrider over the seating section of the bow. I also want to add a livewell I can make to fit at the front most area. What is the best way to treat the wood for no rot for a long time? I?m thinking epoxy resin w/ glass cloth over seams & where I?ll need more strength. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Fisherball

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Plywood Casting Deck-Best Wood Treatment?

You got it. Epoxy or fiberglass with a layer of cloth over the entire piece and it should outlive it's purpose.

 

[Les Robb]

Re: Plywood Casting Deck-Best Wood Treatment?

Agreed on the platform, but try and go with a commercial round bait well that if you cut a 1-1/2" discharge hole near the top, will dump over the side of the boat. My small one will double as a seat (add a cushion) and the bait well.

If your boat is like my Glastron it will cut into that walk around space on your new casting platform. Your could use one of the high 5gal (really around 7gal) high buckets but they are hard to find now days and don't seem to have the space for the bait to circulate and stay hardy.

Luck and show us results

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Plywood Casting Deck-Best Wood Treatment?

I want to add a live well for caught fish more than a baitwell. I could put one across the very front of my bow & still have room for my butt seat & room to walk for casting. If it works out the live well will be 12" wide x 52" long x 12" tall, approx. 32 gallons. I plan on adding some retaining channel inside along the sides & bottom so I can have a removable partition to use part of the well for bait. I don't use live bait very often. I'll use a bilge pump for circulation & maybe even a drain system to the bilge pit at the stern.

Thanks for responses, I'm sure I'll be asking more questions on this forum.

Thanks,

Fisherball

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Plywood Casting Deck-Best Wood Treatment?

You do realize that water weighs 8.33 lbs per gallon and you would be adding 266 lbs towards the bow........ You might want to do a weight test prior to your installation.

Get the boat in the water and have a 250 lb friend stand in the bow with you..... it's just a thought on how your hull would react to the additional weight.

That is not even including the weight of the new casting deck and materials.....

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Plywood Casting Deck-Best Wood Treatment?

That's exactly the weight I came up with. I figure that's about what the 2 bikini babes that came with my boat weigh! They'll just have to wait on shore while I fish.

Seriously, that's what my son & 1 of his buddies weighs so I figured I would have no problem cruising with them in front & 2 more in the rear seats. I'll never get all 32 gallons in it & only fill it when I have fish to keep. But I will put 2 people up there & drive it to see how it handles b/4 I install this well. It won't be until spring cuz it gets too cold in Ohio for winter boating. My boat is rated at 1,050 lbs. of people & cargo & I never fish with more than 3 of us on the boat. #500 of people, less than #100 of stuff, that leaves #150 spare if well is full. I almost never catch #150 of fish on 1 trip out.