Thinking of redoing the bow...

[76starcraft115]

Have a 82 starcraft ss180. The bow seating area is in fair condition, but I stand on the cushions more than I sit. And the wood underneath the seats are rotting away... I want to rip out the seats and put in a platform/deck. I've seen others do this. I have done it to an old Lund, which I loved. However, I redid that boat while I was employed at West Marine, so I had an awesome discount... My question is, Where does everyone buy the materials for this type of project? For.. carpeting, glue, marine wood or plywood, epoxy resin or waterproofing?

Thanks for any input!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Epoxy:
http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-suppl...esin&*******=9dc4fdd1e5a2e3ba99a65448a569d333
or
http://www.uscomposites.com/

I used regular exterior ply. The Aruaco exterior ply from Lowes is very nice. They can special order marine.

I got my carpeting from Home Depot's web site (they've got a free shipping deal going on right now)
http://www.homedepot.com/Flooring-C...&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&Nu=P_PARENT_ID

I used Home Depot's Roberts 6700 adhesive. That stuff is TOUGH.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I built this http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2539.jpg but I'll tell you, I'm going to be rebuilding it this year or next because I used 1/2" ply and didn't reinforce it enough around the hatch lids and it has cracked. Fully jambing the hatches is key.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Thanks Ezmobee! Those links really help out!
Your redo of your star looks good so far! So these hatches? Are they hinged?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Yep the hatches are hinged. If you check out my photobucket album there's a bunch of pictures in there of the structure http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/?start=all I used these odd hinges from great lakes skipper that didn't work out too well. I think I'd go with something like these now http://veada.com/product/8-Boat-Hinges-and-Pedestals/284--13-12-Off-Set-Hinge.html

Like I said, my bow deck is a bit of a rough draft. I know now how to better build it. It's functional but has a bunch of 2x4's added underneath it now for support. Kinda ghetto but works until I rebuild it. You might want to consider using 5/8" ply as opposed to 1/2" unless you support it really well.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

I see, I like the pics! Gives me a better idea on how to go about this. I was actually thinking to cover the center walk way as well, I'm going to support it really well... I have a pedal-stool plate for a chair up front. I plan to move it to the deck. I think I'll also take your advice and go with a thicker ply. Now I'm curious if I need to support the hatches better and how to go about doing that.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Just jamb the hatches with strips of ply. That's my plan. Especially under the hinges.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

You mean going across the bottom of them... The last time I made hatches, they weren't hinged and I cut them out at an angle, kind of like a jack-o-lantern stem... So maybe I might do that again on 3 sides and hinge it, just an idea though

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

That would probably work, especially if you go with the 5/8" ply.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Well Saturday's work, from taking out the cushions and laying out the plywood. I used 23/32" ply. $21 a sheet at home depot.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

guess my photo link won't show up... Hey ezmobee, how did you install your hinges so that their basically hidden?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Find hinges like these http://veada.com/product/8-Boat-Hinges-and-Pedestals/284--13-12-Off-Set-Hinge.html which are mounted from underneath.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Now I just got done laying it down, cut out my hatches, and waterproofed it. Ordered 3 of those hinges. Just waiting on those to arrive and install! Hopefully they will work ok with the thicker plywood...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

We'll both find out. I just ordered a pair myself this evening.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Well I received the hinges today!! Took them out to the garage, and just sized them up on one hatch. I think they will work out perfect!! Just the right height to the thickness of the plywood. Great find so far ezmobee!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Cool. I think mine we'll be here tomorrow.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

All three hatches are Installed !! They look great... Ordered My carpet yesterday as well... So soon I'll will be done! Now Carpeting... What Did you do, Did you lay it out then wrap it around the edges and cut... And just carpet glue or staples too? Then Hatches separately?

 

[pike bay]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Just carpeted the deck and hatches in my boat a couple of weeks ago. We glued the carpet down and we also stapled the hatches to make sure the carpet stays down.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

Did you do the deck and wrap the carpet around the edges or just laid it to the edges... Seems more professional to wrap it, and then do the hatches afterwards

 

[pike bay]

Re: Thinking of redoing the bow...

we laid it to the edges and it came out pretty good. On the hatches we wrapped all of them and stapled to the underside. My FIL had a small air staple gun and it worked great.