I have to replace the front deck of my aluminum boat. It is 5/8" plywood. I have read were it is a good idea to use marine grade plywood, which is not readily available in my area and around $100 a sheet. Is there a good alternative to the marine grade? I really dont think I will keep this boat for more than a couple of years but dont really want to pass along a problem to someone else. How about treated plywood? I have heard were the chemicals used to treat it can damage carpet? Any thoughts?
Just use 5/8th 3/4 what ever your poison, of imo treated (you can just regular if you want). But actual plywood not chip board. And cover it with some fiber glass. Works great and a heck of a lot cheaper. That is how i did mine 7years ago and its still solid as a rock.
Marine grade is not needed for a deck application. Marine grade is simple a higher quality, no knots, plugs, etc. It is essentially just a better grade of wood with no repairs or defects.
You do NOT want to use treated if you are going to deal it with fiberglass or even fiberglass resin. For the fact that treated plywood never really drys up. You'll never get full penetration of the resin/sealant and if you coat it with fiberglass cloth, it will delaminate over the course of time simple due to poor adhesiveness to the treated plywood. For the best penetration of sealer that will hold up if fiberglassed normal treated plywood will work. Do not use any OSB simply for the fact that the resin needed to hold it together will not allow for penetration of sealant.
Treated plywood=delimitation of fiberglass resin.
Simply find a good quality sheet of plywood at your supplier and seal accordingly, whether you want to use a simple resin/sealant, or go all out and reinforce with glass. If you're just replacing the deck that was there, it might be best to go back with 5/8's and glass it back in. That will be plenty strong enough to hold you up. Just make sure you seal all sides of the wood that may not be accessible while it is laid in it's final position and glassing it into place. But if you're going to glass it in with cloth, 5/8" will do just fine.
+1. West 2 part epoxy sealer does a great job of penetrating the plywood. Expensive but worth it. Epoxy resin and good glass cloth is a must. Look at the work the guys that have been there and done that have done and you will see what can be done.
West does make a great penetrating epoxy.
It may save you a little money if you can find it locally. It will be a little more expensive to buy it locally as far as up front cost, but you will get slammed with shipping costs as it is a hazardous material. Price both out and find the best value, cheaper with high shipping, or just higher cost up front and no shipping, do some research and find the best route.
I found it at a bigger marine dealer.
These people has some good products also U.S. COMPOSITES, INC 561/588-1001 or check out there web site .
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