Plywood for deck

kyle99

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Sep 13, 2017
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18
Hey guys, i know this topic has been beat to the moon and back, but i need some help.
I've recently picked up a 93 bayliner 1750 for free. (if you run now I understand). the boat was in overall okay shape. there are about 3 spots that the floor is soft and the fiber glass is missing. ie. it came up with the carpet. over all these wholes could be done with a 2x4 sheet, but as we all know its gonna be the whole floor regardless that everything else feels solid. So, with that spelled out. The boat was free and I'm diying everything because its a tinker project. I don't wanna have more than a grand in this thing but my family will be on this boat. So which ply would you use for the floors being as cheap as humanly possible but reasonable ($60ish a sheet or lower).
I plan on using 1708 fiberglass and I'm hoping i can get away with a gallon of resin. its a small boat but never done this before so please inform me.
 

kyle99

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Sep 13, 2017
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Also if it says anything so far I have rebuilt the starter instead of buying a new one and also have made my own gaskets for the carb instead of buying new ones. The starter will be replaced though. Don’t trust that one obviously.
 

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JASinIL2006

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If the floor has soft spots, odds are good that you have rot below the deck, in the stringers and transom. Have you checked them?
 

froggy1150

Master Chief Petty Officer
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856
I don't think a grand will cover supplies. That's not materials either. Supplies are things like resperator and cartridges.gloves glasses mixing cups....
Just a floor, no stringers 10-15 gal at least. 3/4 marine ply when I did my floor was $75 each before covid. I had to go back to get 1 more sheet....$180. Gunna need a lot more $1000 Bill's. Just go into this eyes wide open so you don't quit half way thru and throw that money away
 

Chris1956

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Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,997
Normally 1/2 plywood is fine. measure the distance between the stringers to see the span that needs to be supported. I use pressure treated plywood and pressure treated solid dimensional lumber for decking and stringers. It must be completely dried out before use. use stainless steel screws to attach the plywood decking to the stringers. Obviously glass over the plywood.

1-1/2 chop strand mat is good for over the plywood decking, with some polyester resin. 2 layers of 10 oz cloth is fine as well. I would use one or the other, depending on exactly what you need to fix, to save some $. Cloth is a bit stronger, and flexes a bit more than mat, but mat is cheaper. Polyester resin is fine for all repairs, except for critical exterior hull ones.

Your original stringers are likely plywood on edge, and can easily rot. Replace with like-sized solid PT lumber, and if in doubt, add some additional lumber for strength. Foam between stringers also supports the hull and adds floatation. It is therefore important to refoam.

All supplies can be had for lots cheaper on the internet, vs marine brick+mortar stores. I spent $100 on cloth and $40/gal for resin, for a transom repair. It would been $300+ for the cloth and $100/gal for resin at the local West Marine.
 

kyle99

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Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Messages
18
If the floor has soft spots, odds are good that you have rot below the deck, in the stringers and transom. Have you checked them?
I haven’t seen under the deck as there’s no access. I’ve went around the whole boat with a mallet and everything sounds solid besides the few spots on the deck, but that’s not a foolproof way.
I don't think a grand will cover supplies. That's not materials either. Supplies are things like resperator and cartridges.gloves glasses mixing cups....
Just a floor, no stringers 10-15 gal at least. 3/4 marine ply when I did my floor was $75 each before covid. I had to go back to get 1 more sheet....$180. Gunna need a lot more $1000 Bill's. Just go into this eyes wide open so you don't quit half way thru and throw that money away
10-15 gallons?!?! It’s such a small boat I hope it won’t take that. Anyways I have the majority of the tools. So it’d just be material cost.
Normally 1/2 plywood is fine. measure the distance between the stringers to see the span that needs to be supported. I use pressure treated plywood and pressure treated solid dimensional lumber for decking and stringers. It must be completely dried out before use. use stainless steel screws to attach the plywood decking to the stringers. Obviously glass over the plywood.

1-1/2 chop strand mat is good for over the plywood decking, with some polyester resin. 2 layers of 10 oz cloth is fine as well. I would use one or the other, depending on exactly what you need to fix, to save some $. Cloth is a bit stronger, and flexes a bit more than mat, but mat is cheaper. Polyester resin is fine for all repairs, except for critical exterior hull ones.

Your original stringers are likely plywood on edge, and can easily rot. Replace with like-sized solid PT lumber, and if in doubt, add some additional lumber for strength. Foam between stringers also supports the hull and adds floatation. It is therefore important to refoam.

All supplies can be had for lots cheaper on the internet, vs marine brick+mortar stores. I spent $100 on cloth and $40/gal for resin, for a transom repair. It would been $300+ for the cloth and $100/gal for resin at the local West Marine.
Do you have any photos of your project? Thanks for the information as well! I’ll look into that method and go from there.

Overall I guess I need to pull the loot up and get an idea of how much rot we are talking about besides the obvious areas. Thanks everyone for the information!
 

briangcc

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Jul 10, 2012
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2,392
Look through the resto forum. There are literally hundreds of boats there that started as "just a couple soft spots" in the floor. As you dig into it you're more than likely going to find the stringers and transom need to be replaced as mentioned above. Go on Youtube and look at Frisco Boater's SeaRay rebuild.

You're in denial right now that a sheet of plywood is going to cure all evils with this boat. You need to decide if the boat is right for you and your family and IF it is, if you're willing to take on such a project.

In its current state, I wouldn't take my family out on it let alone anyone else.
 

kyle99

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Sep 13, 2017
Messages
18
Look through the resto forum. There are literally hundreds of boats there that started as "just a couple soft spots" in the floor. As you dig into it you're more than likely going to find the stringers and transom need to be replaced as mentioned above. Go on Youtube and look at Frisco Boater's SeaRay rebuild.

You're in denial right now that a sheet of plywood is going to cure all evils with this boat. You need to decide if the boat is right for you and your family and IF it is, if you're willing to take on such a project.

In its current state, I wouldn't take my family out on it let alone anyone else.
I will look into those videos. I’m not doubting that the floor and stringers arent toast I’m just hoping they aren’t. While looking at this job I’m pricing as if a whole floor is going to be done. which I know a grand won’t do. But if I can get away with it under a grand I’ll be happier.
 

JASinIL2006

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
5,683
It's a '93 Bayliner... an entry-level boat made without the highest quality materials and construction. I hope there are no problems with the stringers/transom, but it would be surprising if they are intact. Just trying to help prepare you for the likely discovery that your stringers and transom are rotted.

Before pricing or buying materials, you might pull up the floor and check out what's below. I'll be amazed if you can make your boat safe and seaworthy for $1000.
 

kyle99

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Sep 13, 2017
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Haha being a 93 bayliner is why I don’t wanna sink much money in it. I’m expecting the worse hoping for the best.
 

kyle99

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Sep 13, 2017
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Damp wood is rotten wood. A lot of this wood is actually hard but it’s wet so it’s coming out. Measured it out and will only need 2 sheets of ply for the floor and then probably 2 more for stringers.
 

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paulwang

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Damp wood is rotten wood. A lot of this wood is actually hard but it’s wet so it’s coming out. Measured it out and will only need 2 sheets of ply for the floor and then probably 2 more for stringers.
It's so wet. What's happening?
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Damp wood is rotten wood. A lot of this wood is actually hard but it’s wet so it’s coming out. Measured it out and will only need 2 sheets of ply for the floor and then probably 2 more for stringers.
and 1-2 sheets for the transom.

remember, the order of rot. Transom first, Stringers next, foam gets saturated, then the floor rots.
 
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