Re- Decking. or to plank or not to plank ???

skipperscouse

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9 Jan 2006
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As I'm about to start stripping her old decks off I could do with a few opinions.
apart from the cosmetic aspect of veneering the pli decks with planks, what else can i gain from all that extra time and money (in short supply).
whereas if i just a epoxy sheathe the pli deck, she'll look traditional like the deck was canvassed?
any opinions? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
For what its worth, using a good thickness good quality ply deck, sheathed to a good waterproof standard is probably less traditional, but more practical as it will help the structure by tieing everything together. It also helps the vessel become a bit more rigid, which can't be a bad thing. Howver, I am sure the opposite opinion will be expressed within a short time.
You pays your money you.................
John Lilley
 
I re decked my boat useing ply but made an error,In stead of one layer I should have used two therefore making the deck stongerand more ridged because the join in the ply whereoverlapped ,more expense but a better job.Make templates and fit biggest pices as possible.
 
I recently had my 15ft clinker dinghy re-built which originally had canvas on planking decks. I was very keen to keep her as original as is possible but was stongly advised by 100% of the people I spoke to to go for the ply and gritty paint approach. Purely from a longevity aspect, it's the route to go. I've got a full time job, bla bla bla and want to spend as much of my sailing time....errr...well sailing, and not repairing old canvas. Sometimes practicality has to take the lead.

Cheers
 
Totally agree, overlap the joins, two layers of ply, epoxy between, LOTs, screw the decks down and together making sure there are no voids, or a much as possible anyway. Seal all edges with epoxy as well. As for other opinions epoxy is no good on wooden boats, bollox! A good friend is laying teak strips on his ply deck as we speak, and he's making a great job of it, you can do it later if you want, but it's not cheap and takes a while. My bruv did it aswell, with thin teak and black epoxy but like I said its time consuming, up to you.
 
Hi !
Welcome to the club !!!
I am the owner of a 63' Edson B Schock Staysail schooner built in 1934 by Boeing Aircraft in Vancouver ,which I am rebuilding with very little money !!!
Anyway, I have to replace all my deck beams and the teack deck (1"1/2 thick) was a goner !!
To redone the deck as the original was not an option due to the cost first and also this type of deck always leak !!
An australian write a book on a world cruise on my boat in 1953 and the deck was already leaking at the time !!
So the solution was ,after replacing all of the deck beams (with reclaimed wood !!) to put a first layer of 3/4" marine ply,glued and screwed on the deck beams with overlapping on the beams and in the center (reinforced under ),then sheating the deck with one layer of E cloth .
The second layer ,to arrive at the original 1"1/2,could be teack if you have the money .
As I do not have it ,I intend to use Douglas Fir ,which way cheaper !!
That's the state I am in at the moment !!
You can see some pictures of the work on my website : www.mavourneen-mary.com
If you need more infos ,contact me.
Best of luck

Lannig

PS: Incindently, using plywood reinforce the deck and the whole boat quite dramatically !!
 
Thanks Pete !
Have you a website for your boat ??
It will be nice to see her !!
If you do not have one ,make one !!
I used a cie called 2minuteswebsite.com ,they are cheap and their system is very easy to use even for computer moron like me !!
Check the bottom of any page on my website !!
Free advertising for them !!

Alain
 
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