Plywood for deck

[kbh121956]

Hello group. I have a 1972 18' StarCraft SS. The floor had a soft spot in it. The PO had screwed a umbrella mount to the floor and didn't use any sealant on the screws, overtime the plywood absorbed water and caused the ply's to separate. My question is, what type of plywood is needed for it? I will only be replacing 2 sections, the 2 back sections. He mounted the umbrella right on the seam. What it has in it now is 1/2 inch. What grade should be used and is it a Lowes or Home Depot? Also, I have long white strips of foam in the boat under the floor, A different group told me that it shouldn't have foam under the floor. This is a factory floor, I am the second owner of the boat. The boat seldom went out. The foam is dry and still white in color. The aluminum is still bright and shiny under the strips of foam and the rivets show no sign of leakage. Thank you for the help, this is my first aluminum boat and I'm loving it. So much lighter over my fiberglass boats. Sorry I have not been able to post photo's.

 

[Decker83]

The marine grade plywood is the best option. Most of the gentlemen here use a exterior grade plywood from the big box stores like HD or Lowes. Just make sure to seal it good.
The foam you have under the deck is factory from SC..

 

[kbh121956]

Thank you Decker83.

 

[classiccat]

History on here shows that a single soft spot is the canary in the coalmine for 100% floor & transom wood replacement. What is the condition of your kneebrace tabs & splashwell corners?

(a little curious what group would recommend omitting flotation foam. )

 

[kbh121956]

History on here shows that a single soft spot is the canary in the coalmine for 100% floor & transom wood replacement. What is the condition of your kneebrace tabs & splashwell corners?

(a little curious what group would recommend omitting flotation foam. )

Thank you for your reply classiccat. The original owner of the boat passed away 12 years ago. His kid removed the cover and sold the goodies from the boat, the downriggers, fishing gear, etc. The man bought her new in 72. His son partially removed the canvas cover and didn't cover it back up. From the seats back, it was exposed to the elements. I removed all the vinyl flooring and the seats and pulled up two sections of flooring. The kneebrace looks good, the splashwell corners are good. I was thinking of rebuilding the transom simply because the wood is 47 years old. That group would be the StarCraft group on FB.

 

[kbh121956]

Classiccat, I also pulled off the Mercury 140hp. It was missing the controls which he sold. No power tilt and I'm too old to man handle it. It will only get half that power when I'm done. I own two other glass boats, this is my first aluminum boat. I don't pull tubes nor do I water ski, I fish. I live in the west and fish our larger lakes. In the long run, I am impressed on how this boat is put together! I'll probably end up selling the fiberglass boats.

 

[classiccat]

In the long run, I am impressed on how this boat is put together! I'll probably end up selling the fiberglass boats.

Welcome to the Starmada! I will have to consult with the mob BOD but I believe your membership dues are paid-in-full with that statement ...even without pictures (a rarity in this day!) They may require one of the glassers to be sacrificed :lol:

 

[kbh121956]

LOL! Thanks.

 

[MTboatguy]

I finally got rid of all of my fiberglass boats and now have just 3 aluminums, 1 Starcraft, 1 14 foot utility and a classic 1967 Mirrocraft, no more fiberglass for me.

Welcome to the club.

 

[kbh121956]

MTboatguy Thanks!

 

[Michigan Lakes]

I'd highly recommend getting to the foam near the keel before assuming that it's all in good shape. On my boat (75' SS16), all of the foam directly below the deck was dry. The second layer, closer to the keel, was entirely water logged. Needless to say, I ended up replacing all of it.

 

[kbh121956]

I'd highly recommend getting to the foam near the keel before assuming that it's all in good shape. On my boat (75' SS16), all of the foam directly below the deck was dry. The second layer, closer to the keel, was entirely water logged. Needless to say, I ended up replacing all of it.

Thank you for your concern Michigan Lakes. I just came in from removing the last piece of decking that I'm replacing. I did check under all the foam up against the keel and it is dry. The boat was stored with the bow up and the tires had gone flat so, it was really on a rake. Also being a Utah boat, it most likely went out 4 to 8 times a season before the weather changed. It was last registered in 2008. A lot of the inboards in my area usually go bad do to them freezing, people waiting too long to winterize them. The main reason that I got away from the inboards is that you had to put them away just as fishing was picking up. The better lakes around here are a 3 to 5 hour drive away. Sometimes living in the high desert can suck. lol.

 

[kbh121956]

Just wondering. Where is the Vin number on this boat? My other boats had them on the transom this one doesn't. Is it the serial stamped on the plate up by the controls? Anyone know how to resize photo's or know of a site besides photo bucket? Great group here.

 

[MTboatguy]

Just wondering. Where is the Vin number on this boat? My other boats had them on the transom this one doesn't. Is it the serial stamped on the plate up by the controls? Anyone know how to resize photo's or know of a site besides photo bucket? Great group here.

Normally it is on the upper right hand side of the transom, on mine it is stamped into a plate that is riveted on the transom. Now if your boat was manufactured before November 1st, 1972 it might not have a HIN plate on it as that is when they started requiring it.

 

[garbageguy]

..Anyone know how to resize photo's or know of a site besides photo bucket? Great group here.

while there are many ways, often email programs will give you that option to resize once you compose an email to yourself and attach the photo file (before you send the email)

 

[kbh121956]

Thanks MTboatguy. Mine doesn't have anything on the transom. All that I have is a serial number stamped on a plate up by the steering. Garbageguy, Thanks for your reply, I tried doing the email way and no go. I'll have to figure out a different way to resize it.

 

[kbh121956]

I went and bought the plywood for the decking. I also bought the marine 3/4 plywood for the transom. At $79.99 per sheet, I sure won't be making any mistakes when cutting the new transom! What is the best way to bond the two sheets together? What product does everyone use?

 

[Decker83]

I used the TiteBond III wood glue. It is water proof glue..

 

[kbh121956]

Thanks Decker83!