Hey! I am building a rear deck for my Carolina Skiff and have a question about the strength of the setup. So far, I have glassed both sides of 3/4" plywood. Should I add a few ribs on the underside of the decking and glass those too? Or, do you think it’s strong enough as is?
How big is it? L X W. What type of glass did you use? What type of resin, epoxy or polyester?
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Will any fat chicks be dancing on it?
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
^i only let fat chicks dance on my rear deck.
Just made one for my 1700 maycraft without glass, sits on top of the cooler seat then the perimiter. I had to put one upright 2x4 in the middle beside the fuel tank. No flex whatso ever. Very pleased. Now I can usethat unusable space!!!.Carolina skiff rear deck on one of the Va craigslist sites. fredricksburg I think a week ago. Pretty cheap too FYI
3/4" plywood is quite strong. I am not sure of the flexibility of the glass without it developing cracks though. But I work with several types of 3/4" plywood every day of my life (well except when I’m fishing).
I would think you would need a lateral stringer at the front edge and mabe a center leg as I did when I put a platform on the bow of my Carolina skiff 15 years ago using treated 3/4" plywood with no F/G only epoxy paint! It has served me well.
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker LarryHow big is it? L X W. What type of glass did you use? What type of resin, epoxy or polyester?
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
It’s approximately 72" x 23". The two sides and rear will sit on a lip in the hull. The front is just open. I used Bondo resin from Home Depot (I didn’t want to spend much $$ on this project) and it works well. I also used fiberglass mat from Home Depot as well.