Replacing a deck questions?

[wattaway2]

In redoing my 23 ' I kept the gutters however it was a lot of work . You need at least 2" min. To tie in the sides and I had cut about 3/4 of a inch from the edge closest to the center console.i hade to grind the channel and up the sides about 2" to feel comfortable then put 2 layers of Matt if I remember 3 of biax then 3 more of 11/2oz mat followed by a bunch of sanding the deck with a 9" side grinder working down to a DA and more hand sanding! If I where to do the decks again I would make a template then build the new deck on Melamane board and then just have to tie in the edges and save a bunch of time and money on the damn 9" discs alone. Resettle one of the guys sorry can't recall who did a beautiful job this way you could even do the gelcoat except for the edges where you would ruff them up and tie in