Laid Decks

[pyrojames]

I am planning to replace Dawn Wind's decks later this year. (CB Oct 03 Readers Boats IIRC) The original white beech decks are worn out. White beech is an Oz timber, very oily and more resistant to rot than teak. The original decks were 2x1 beech over 3/8 ply, edge nailed and glued. My options are to either replace with the same, but glued only, or to use 1/2 teak, over 1/2 ply. The "glue" is most likely to be Purflex from Robbins. Anyone have suggestions or cautions about the project?

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[PBrooks]

Hi

You might find 1/2in timber on 1/2in ply difficult to glue - the expansion / contraction between wet and dry for such a thickness may well overpower the glue. Also, Purflex is a sealant and I'm not sure it is really the right stuff for gluing (though there is a 3m product - 5200, I think - which might be more suitable as it has good adhesive properties as well as some "give" in it).

The way I did a similar job was to use 5mm timber on ply, glued with epoxy. I then squirted purflex into the gaps between planks, sanding off about a week later. (Apparently epoxy will bond this thickness whether wet or dry)

There have been several good discussions on this subject on the US forum for woodenboats (search with Google for "wooden boats usa" and then use the forum search thingy).

As an aside, I'm surprised that the original decks are worn out being 2x1 and all...

Good luck
Best regards Paul

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[Peterduck]

One thing is for certain, that you will not be replacing your deck with white beech. I asked at Furniture Timbers in Port Melbourne about white beech and they said that the stock that they had was all there was [a very small pile] and they did not expect to be able to get any more. If they don't have it, no one else will either. At least teak is being plantation grown, so will continue to be available. I would also be surprised if 1" thick white beech is worn out.
Peter.

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[pyrojames]

Well, I have a quote for supply to Tilbury, UK, of 600 linear feet of 2x1 and 150 feet of 4x1, from a mob called Trend Timbers in Windsor NSW, so that isn't a problem. Another chap on rec.boats.building (or .cruising) also replaced his decks with white beech, so I'd suggest you try Trend Timbers if you want some. In the past I have managed to get it from Caporn Timber in Brookvale, NSW, too.

The main reason that the old decks are worn out is that the edge nailing and back nailing through the ply is beginning to give hundreds of pin prick holes through the deck, letting water through to the ply. The ply is delaminating and the beech is trapping water around the nail holes and softening. I can assure you, the deck needs replacing.

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[pyrojames]

Thanks for the comment, I shall have a hunt on the wooden boat forum. From what I have read and discussed with people so far, is that epoxy is to be avoided unless you have very thin planks because it has virtually no flexibility and fails as you describe. 3M's 5200, is so stroing that you can never ever get things off once on, so replacing a plank is near impossible, and is to be avoided on that basis.

Robbins tech info, suggests that Purflex is both a sealant and adhesive and is suitable for such an application.

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[Tidahapah]

If you ared looking for White Beech for decking contact Advance Timbers at Kunda Park, Maroochydore,Sunshine Coast Queensland, Australia.
Darryl has a huge supply of Beech either Queensland or Pacific.
The Queensland White Beech being the superior decking timber.

Advance Timbers 07 5445 6011

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[pyrojames]

Many thanks for the contact info. I would cetainly prefer Queensland to Pacific if I can get hold of it.

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[Peterduck]

I also appreciate those contacts. Thanks a lot.
Peter.

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