Replacing the deck...

[Bubba1235]

I've decided to go ahead and replace the deck on the toon and plan on using treated plywood and glassing it. Question, treated lumber is usually pretty wet when I get it at the lumber yard, how long should I let it sit (ricked) to let it dry out before glassing?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Replacing the deck...

Thats a very good question. Let me start by saying PT plywood is not recommended for toon necks because it reacts to the alum framing. When I redecked mine last year I used marine grade plywood and painted it on both sides before it was installed. But I am sure many others have done it differently.

 

[Snake334]

Re: Replacing the deck...

I completely rebuilt my 24' toon a couple years ago and I went to Lowes and bought the 3/4" Advantech to use on mine. They will tell you it's not rated for use on a pontoon, but it's designed to be used for outdoor projects. It's completely bonded the same as Marine grade ply, but for less than half the price per sheet. It's also tongue and groove, so it connects to make a solid floor. When I got my toon out and was getting it ready this spring, I crawled underneath to see how it was holding up, and it looks just as good as it did when I installed it. Floor is still rock solid. My toon is trailered so it doesn't sit on the water, but so far I have had not one issue with the deck. I'm sure some people may not agree about using the Advantech, but so far it's worked great for me.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Replacing the deck...

Bubba, the Advantech is not a bad recommendation. I have seen it's water repelling attributes in action and it is engineered to withstand it. As far as treated products, the current ACQ treatment is very reactive to aluminum. Since you're going to glass it over, consider using AC fir...it's much cheaper and can provide the same utility if properly sealed. The oystermen in my area use nothing else.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Replacing the deck...

It has been mentioned here before that there may be an adhesion issue when glassing PT plywood due to the chemicals used.

 

[VaGent]

Re: Replacing the deck...

Bubba, the Advantech is not a bad recommendation. I have seen it's water repelling attributes in action and it is engineered to withstand it. As far as treated products, the current ACQ treatment is very reactive to aluminum. Since you're going to glass it over, consider using AC fir...it's much cheaper and can provide the same utility if properly sealed. The oystermen in my area use nothing else.

if you are going to go to the trouble of fiber glassing the wood then FIRST read this article about BORATE treated plywood. It is being used by many dock builders, inland game & fisheries & is far cheaper per sheet then regular treated plywood. PLUS it has a 10 yr warranty too. I used it on my 24ft pontoon rebuild & it's doing great after 3 yrs of use. I just recently under skinned my boat & the wood was just as dry now as the day I installed it. Here's a link to read more about it: http://www.westernwoodpreserving.com/advance_guard.htm

 

[VaGent]

replacing the deck

replacing the deck

Sorry for the double post

 

[bigdee]

Re: replacing the deck

Re: replacing the deck

PT is made out of crappy laminations and warps when dried out. Glassing is overkill. A top grade of douglas fir plywood is all you need and will hold up for 15 to 20 years. This is the norm and has been proven over time. I have no experience with the advantech but the concept sounds good.