Deck replacement

[toadfish]

This has probably been covered, and if so please let me know and I will look for it...if not, I am going to replace my deck of my 1986 18' Seacraft before too long (possible a winter project) because it is developing several soft spots due to water intrusion from deck screws, etc. I have done spot repairs but would like to re-do the entire thing because I have just added a custom t-top with all the fixin's and would like to have a sturdier platform. Now to the question...I have heard of replacing the decks with 3/4 marine ply that has been completely coated with epoxy, then screwed down to the stringers, bonded to the liner sides with biberglass tape and epoxy, then painted with paint and nonskid added. Does anyone have any suggestions other than this or is this pretty standard for a deck rebuild? I was supprised to hear that there did not need to be glass (such as mat or roving woven) added to the top or bottom of the deck, rather just coat it with epoxy..any suggestions or comments??? Toadfish

[EBEACH]

Toadfish,

Not sure of your budget, but you may want to look at Nida-core. It's sold in sheets and is very stong. Super light weight. Trayder used it on his project. Do the math with materials and then your labor. I can tell you it takes 1 gallon of resin to wet out 4x8, once and a half mat. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

[Ed]

Toadfish-

Nidacore is good stuff....You may also want to look into divincell. My buddy and I just recored the deck in a 26 center console using divincell. It is not cheap!

-Ed-

[other tom]

Any you can get Divinycell already skinned with whatever lay-up (biaxial 1808 cloth / epoxy is a good start) so you just cut to fit, and tab together with cloth/epoxy, skin it and fair/paint. Lighter than plywood, easier to cut, won't rot. (4 x 8 sheet is like $200 or so skinned though)

[toadfish]

Thanks guys, that Nidacore and Divinycell look like some good stuff. I didn't find very much in the way of dealers, just product specs on a web search. Anyone know of any dealers in the southeast? I am in the Charleston, SC area.

[thedink9]

Other Tom

When using Divinicell did you glass back the top skin or is this stuff tough enough that all you had to do was seal it and paint it?
Dink