flat Decking for dummies?

I have very little knowledge on the subject of fiberglassing. .. I want to flat-deck my gs550, but I don't even know where to start. I can figure out the cutting, but I need help with the steps necessary to fiberglass and seal the deck after I chop her up. Does anyone have any decent step by step instructions? What materials do I need and how much. Thanks in advance.
 

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
Cut like you want, pour in 2 part boat foam, shape the way you like, wrap with epoxy resin and fiberglass, do body work. Turf.

You could also use the pink 1" eps foam boards from home deport but they will melt if touched by any gelcoat, bondo or poly resin.
 
If I'm just removing the "walls" to make a completely flat deck, I suppose that foam will only be needed if I cut too deep or gouge?

I think I will only need the fiberglass to seal the existing foam, after I remove the bunks(I think they're called).
How many layers/sheets of fiberglass would you typically use to "seal" the deck/foam after removing the walls?

Thanks for the heads up, I will pass. I'm pretty sure I will find a way to screw that up lol. (Melt the foam-stuff)
 
Location
hhh
if this is your first time working with composites, i suggest you start smaller.
there is a lot to doing a flatdeck properly.
 
I wish someone would make a good video/picture tutorial. That makes sense, but this is what I really need, I don't want Footholds, I need more room and footstraps so I can start really having fun on this Lil beast.

Thanks for your advice and if I can't find any help then I will look into the "smaller" projects. Do you gave any recommendations for smaller/practice jobs
 
Location
hhh
I wish someone would make a good video/picture tutorial. That makes sense, but this is what I really need, I don't want Footholds, I need more room and footstraps so I can start really having fun on this Lil beast.

Thanks for your advice and if I can't find any help then I will look into the "smaller" projects. Do you gave any recommendations for smaller/practice jobs
i have a good thread on doing the flat deck properly. ill look for it now.
 
i have some small voids in the foam from removing the bunks. can i use that yellow spray foam can to fill it in? how will it react to the resin
 

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
i have some small voids in the foam from removing the bunks. can i use that yellow spray foam can to fill it in? how will it react to the resin

Do not use spray foam on anything on your ski. The answer from us will be no every time. If you are using epoxy resin for your job, you can shove piece of pink eps in the holes.
 
I flatdecked a 550 I got for 80 bucks and the biggest thing I learned was glass over the entire deck on the back. It wasn't long after I got it on the water that the narrow piece of the orignal deck that was left between
 
thanks guys...

i cant find epoxy resin....

i went to a boat shop, lowes, 'mom and pop' auti paintshop,called PPG...
 
I flatdecked a 550 I got for 80 bucks...

was glass over the entire deck on the back...

asn't long after I got it on the water that the narrow piece of the orignal deck that was left between

doesnt a gallon of epoxy run $60+?
even the middle? no matt?
i dont get what youre saying on the last bit. sorry man im just trying to learn from your lesson. i want to really understand what youre saying
 
Last edited:

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
doesnt a gallon of epoxy run $60+?
even the middle? no matt?
i dont get what youre saying on the last bit. sorry man im just trying to learn from your lesson. i want to really understand what youre saying

He didn't do enough overlap of the original deck and his work seperated.
 

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
Yes, a gallon of epoxy is about $60. Order it online. Not sure how much you will need for the job. You can figure sit out based upon the amount of glass you plan to use. I don't know how much you should use.
 
cant thank yal enough.. my buddy who ive been wanting to ride with is coming up from the coast. h was able to score some resin.

so not enough overlap huh... got it thanks for clearing that up. so the overlap is in the resin, not the mat, rightk?
how far should i overlap, the entire deck? how thick
 

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
cant thank yal enough.. my buddy who ive been wanting to ride with is coming up from the coast. h was able to score some resin.

so not enough overlap huh... got it thanks for clearing that up. so the overlap is in the resin, not the mat, rightk?
how far should i overlap, the entire deck? how thick

There is some confusion here. You asked if the overlap should be with the mat or the resin.

There shouldn't be any places that have mat without resin or resin without mat. Either by themselves is pointless.

The point being made is, you can't put down 9 square feet of new fiberglass and only overlap the old fiberglass by an inch. It needs more surface than that or you don't have enough contact area to stay bonded.

Think about screwing 2 boards together. Too close to the edge of either board and it will splinter and break when you put a load on it. Same thing if you don't use enough nails. You need to set the nail far enough from the edge so the board has strength to stay together, and use more nails for more anticipated load.

I guess an even better analogy is that you are trying to glue 2 boards together.
 
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