Laying a teak deck over grp sheathing

[joliette]

My Levi Settimo Velo originally had a teak deck. It looks like a teak ply laminate was used. This is now sheathed with with GRP. The deck and the GRP are mostly sound. However, I am not sure what type of resin was used to apply the CSM sheathing. Is there a way of telling if it was polyester or epoxy? I have tried to remove some of it and it is sticking very well indeed, apart from a few areas where it has lifted.

I want to reinstate the teak deck. What is the best way to proceed? Should I lift the existing sheathing and bed down a new teak deck on top of the old laminate? Should I repair the existing sheathing and bed down a new teak deck on top of that? How would you do it?

To join my Levi Settimo Velo Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=179427293999

 

[fishermantwo]

My Levi Settimo Velo originally had a teak deck. It looks like a teak ply laminate was used. This is now sheathed with with GRP. The deck and the GRP are mostly sound. However, I am not sure what type of resin was used to apply the CSM sheathing.

If your sure its CSM then it will be Polyester resin, epoxy does not dissolve the binders in CSM. If its cloth then it could be either.

I personally would avoid a teak deck. Looking at boats for sale if its got a teak deck then its all over.

If I was to repair a yacht deck then it would be epoxy and cloth. My fishing boat deck is CSM and Polyester resin and needs doing again. In the case of fishing boats weight is not a problem and a couple of lay ups with CSM is ok. Adding teak on top of epoxy and cloth will add a lot of weight where its not needed.

 

[Tranona]

If you are happy with straight planks rather than swept then suggest you use 2.6mm teak veneer strips. You can buy the veneers from Robbins and cut them in strips for yourself. I doubt your decks will get any serious wear so they will last OK - my cockpit has lasted 20 years. If you think the deck is really stable you can bed in epoxy (see Gougeon Brothers book for technique) but Sikaflex will be fine and allow for some movement. "Caulk" the gaps with Sika. will add little weight compared with the more common 6 or 9mm decking which you need to use if you want to sweep the planks.

 

[Keith 66]

If you are contemplating putting a new teak deck on top of an already sheathed teak on ply deck you are merely saving up a world of hurt & dry rot.
If you are intent on laying a teak deck do it properly & strip the old deck of first!

 

[joliette]

If your sure its CSM then it will be Polyester resin, epoxy does not dissolve the binders in CSM.QUOTE]

It's definitely CSM, so I guess it's been done with polyester resin. I've read that polyester resin doesn't really stick to wood as well as epoxy. Is that the case? ... This stuff is really hard to shift!

 

[Billy_Mizzen]

Powder bound Chopped strand matt can be used with Epoxies it’s the Emulsion bound Matt which can’t!

 

[burgundyben]

The problem you'll be up against with the teak is that whatever you caulk it with, long term, the adhesion to the sides of the planks will let go, when this happens rain water will sit in the open joins and rot out the ply underneath. Its often seen on Fairey boats with a teak on ply deck.

My deck was laid with ply and epoxy cloth, followed by blakes chlorinated rubber deck paint, it lasted 6 years before I had to do it again, that was only to make it look better.

Ply and epoxy cloth gets my vote, leaves the money to spend on those BPM gearboxes!

If you've got GRP on top of an old ply deck, i think you have to bit the bullet and rip it all up.

 

[fishermantwo]

If your sure its CSM then it will be Polyester resin, epoxy does not dissolve the binders in CSM.QUOTE]

It's definitely CSM, so I guess it's been done with polyester resin. I've read that polyester resin doesn't really stick to wood as well as epoxy. Is that the case? ... This stuff is really hard to shift!

Polyester resin and CSM on new wood sticks well. Not so good when it comes to repairing. Epoxy and cloth is a bit more expensive but easier to use. Gives a much stronger job and sticks to anything as long as its dry and clean.

36 grit disc on a mini grinder will have the fibreglass/CSM off in seconds.

 

[LittleShip]

Polyester resin and CSM on new wood sticks well. Not so good when it comes to repairing. Epoxy and cloth is a bit more expensive but easier to use. Gives a much stronger job and sticks to anything as long as its dry and clean.

Polyester sticks to whereas epoxy forms a bond as it soaks into the wood.

Over time Polyester will allow water under the matting and it will then lift, you wont get that problem if you use epoxy.

Tom

PS good luck with the new deck and dont forget the photos of the completed job.