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Scott Downey
 
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Default Composite flooring on pontoon boat?

Should work just fine.
It is not as stiff as wood deck so it might need more bracing
Have you looked into IPE wood?
Do a search on google, here in norfolk, Va at Yukon lumber it goes for 2.00
board foot.

It is heavy, very strong, will not rot, and is very stiff.
It is very dimensionally stable.
It looks like teak, has a nice brown color to the wood.
It is used commercially for decking and flooring.

wrote in message
...
I'll be needing to replace the deck on my pontoon boat after
the boating season is over and am asking for some
suggestions on what materials to use.

One fellow where I have my boat docked at used regular
high-grade plywood. Others have used treated plywood, and
still others marine plywood, which is very expensive.

For the covering, I'm thinking of going with a simulated
carpet (Nautolex marine flooring) if I use treated plywood.
However, it occurred to me that I might have another option,
one that might not require a carpet or covering at all . . .

Has anyone successfully used a composite plastic material
(either in sheets or "boards") for decking on a pontoon
boat? This stuff is completely waterproof and makes nice
decks for around the home but I don't know if there are any
reasons I shouldn't use it on a pontoon boat.

My idea is to place the boards lengthwise (staggered) and
fastening the ends together where a cross brace exists. This
stuff seems to be somewhat non-skid and will accept screws
as well as nails. It weathers quite nicely to a less
"plastic-like" appearance in a year or two.

If this sounds like a good idea, would carpet be necessary?

If so, since the plastic would probably not be a surface
glue would readily stick to, should I simply stretch the
carpet with a "carpet kicker" and staple it around the
underside to keep it taught?

While this post is primarily concerned with the composite
material, I would like to know what some of you have done as
far as re-decking a pontoon boat. As for the "Tuff-Kote"
stuff used for pickup truck bed liners, it looks like that
would be too hot (being black and absorbing heat) for my
preferences, but there might be a lighter color available.

Thanks in advance for any and all who comment on this post.

Don
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