Deck Supports

[Capt. Mac Creech]

Had some rot in the wood holding my fiberglass cockpit deck. Have removed so I have a template to go from. What is the best product to replace with.
Thanks, Mac

[Rawleigh]

Fiberglass structural pieces from Mcmaster Carr. Fiberglass C channel, etc.

[John F.]

I replaced with mahogany coated with West. I figured the original stuff lasted a good 40 years, and it was a lot easier for me to get 8' + mahogany than to get the stuff McMaster Carr. Just another idea.

[my other east]

i agree with John, and went the same route.

[Pete Fallon]

Capt Mac Creech,
I did my deck supports about 3 years ago.I used full board 5/4 White Oak then applied 6 coats of thinned epoxy, fastened them in with stainless steel 1/4-20 bolts. I used the same material for the rudder tables. My decks are 1" 80lb density PVC foam with glass over and under, they are light enough so I can lift them by myself, but strong enough to take a beating. The old deck support uprights have bronze 1/4-20 bolts that have a couple of bottom bolts that are impossible to get at because of the lip on the gas tank, I managed to notch that lip with a Dremel tool, make sure you just don't go too deep. I think it cost me around $300.00 by the time I was all done, for the wood, epoxy, saw blades and hardware total.
Pete Fallon

[Carl]

Fiberglass structural u-channel from Mcmaster.

Can't get much easier then order and have material delivered to your door.


Shot a bit of liquid wrench on the nuts then unscrewed the uprights, matched to size, cut and used old upright as a template for holes, drilled and slid new glass upright in place. When it was all done and fitted, I glassed to add extra strength.

The wood uprights did last 30+ years...but i know i'll never have to deal with "that" job again...at least not on this boat.

[Capt. Mac Creech]

Thanks Guys

[JimmyG]

I used 1" Coosa and tabbed in the supports, easy to work with and will never rot

[JimmyG]

Here is a picture the red vertical supports are FRP bars from McMaster Carr http://blueh2ophotography.com/blueh2oph ... tos.html#0

[Capt. Mac Creech]

Jimmy G what did you use for the horizontal support that the deck sits on? Is 1" coosa board rigid enough? Thanks

[Capt. Mac Creech]

What is epoky thinned with and what ratio? Can polyester resin be thinned ? if so with what

[bbtiller]

See the post: http://bertram31.com/newbb/viewtopic.ph ... 562#p99876

I just finished my rocket launcher as described in that. I used 15% denatured alcohol.

[JimmyG]

Jimmy G what did you use for the horizontal support that the deck sits on? Is 1" coosa board rigid enough? Thanks

I doubled the (Blue water 26) coosa to 2" at the top with thickened West epoxy, very ridged, easy to work with and will last forever

[Capt. Mac Creech]

Did you glass the entire support. Will Coosa work without glassing?
Thanks, Mac

[JimmyG]

Did you glass the entire support. Will Coosa work without glassing?
Thanks, Mac

Capt Pat could tell you better but from the research I believe it will be a everlasting structure, it's hard to believe because it's so easy to work with and light weight ...I did not cover with glass just use west 610 and laminated the boards together