Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

OK, so I'm getting ready to pull Loretta Jane off the lift and begin a full rebuild. Starting to plan purchases, colors, etc. I've read a couple of differing thoughts about sealing the decking. Of course I'm going to use marine grade plywood, but I have heard some say to seal it, some say don't.

Any thoughts? Saw one guy used Red Gard waterproofing/ sealant.

Want to do this the right way the 1st time. Appreciate any input.

-Paul

I found 3/4 CCA treated marine plywood at a local marine lumber/dock builder supply store. I just called dock builders and soon found it.

Forgot, only sealed the edges with fiberglass resin.

Thompsons water seal shiat SUCKS...tried to use this weekend. ..
It truly sucks, 48hrs later feets stick if they are wet

Bt20bill wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 08, 2020 3:59 pm

Forgot, only sealed the edges with fiberglass resin.

Makes sense. I had a local buddy who said "As long as the moisture doesn't get between the layers, it should be fine."

Bansil - I've used Thompsons twice. Once, on a privacy fence, no issue. Second time, on an indoor floor, took 3 days of perfect temp to dry.

just looked at calendar...shouldn't you of started this 4 months ago

will wait and see what happens

I know that it's not the same thing, but my neighbor used Thompsons on his dock and railings here at the lake. He let the treated lumber dry in the sun for about 6 months so it soaked it up like a sponge and dried fast. It looked really good and repelled water for a while....but I think that it will be an annual event until he goes with a stain with solids in it. I have a cedar privacy fence on one side of my yard. It looked good and repelled water for about a year with Thompsons.

Might be a great answer for locations not exposed to heavy-duty sunshine and heat.

bansil wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 09, 2020 2:08 pm

just looked at calendar...shouldn't you of started this 4 months ago

will wait and see what happens

Yeah. I originally planned to start early February, but life kinda got in the way. The largest problem being that every time I got just about ready to pull it, the weather sucked, or one thing after another. Remember that I'm on the lift all the time, so pulling it out of the water also means having enough tide at the ramp to get the trailer all the way in. In the winter, the tide often turns over to high at night, low most all day. And when I say Low, I mean that I might have 10" under the boat.

I am hoping to move things along at a pace that will hopefully put me in the water by the end of April. A bit optimistic, I know, but that's my target.

Marc K wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:55 pm

I know that it's not the same thing, but my neighbor used Thompsons on his dock and railings here at the lake. He let the treated lumber dry in the sun for about 6 months so it soaked it up like a sponge and dried fast. It looked really good and repelled water for a while....but I think that it will be an annual event until he goes with a stain with solids in it. I have a cedar privacy fence on one side of my yard. It looked good and repelled water for about a year with Thompsons.

Might be a great answer for locations not exposed to heavy-duty sunshine and heat.

Thanks for that input, Marc. I've considered Thompsons since it's wood that won't be exposed to direct sun. I read a bunch of reviews about Red Gard. For as easy as it is to apply, it's seems like people hate that stuff - peeling, cracking, etc. 'Course, they're using it for concrete backer board for tiling and not a wood application. So... I just don't know. This is the biggest question mark I have right now. Dammit.

-Paul

Understand the weather, we have had sooo much rain

Since I am also in Florida. The weather also slowed my resto. 75 degree days 40 degree nights and then we got some rain on the good days. so I couldn't glue my vinyl down for a month after I ordered it. I was also hoping for a 2 month turn around but not gonna happen.

Bt20bill wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 13, 2020 6:11 am

Since I am also in Florida. The weather also slowed my resto. 75 degree days 40 degree nights and then we got some rain on the good days. so I couldn't glue my vinyl down for a month after I ordered it. I was also hoping for a 2 month turn around but not gonna happen.

Yep. You know it. I am hoping, even though I'm behind where I wanted to be, that the days are evening out enough that I'll be able to progress along, rather than have to wait for warm days.

'Course I say that and the monsoon season will start up again!

-Paul

Silly Floridians....try working on an aluminum boat outside when its mid 20s...every time you touch it...the heat gets sucked out of your soul

Got out on the water for a little ride Saturday and then pulled her out of the water. By the end of Sunday, we felt like we'd made good progress.
It's great having a wife who knows what she's doing and doesn't mind helping!

bansil wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 13, 2020 7:09 am

Silly Floridians....try working on an aluminum boat outside when its mid 20s...every time you touch it...the heat gets sucked out of your soul

OR -- Working on it when it's 85 or more and that aluminum burning through your bones. 'Course you've never done that!