On Jul 18, 4:32 am, Shanghai wrote:
I'm building a 40 ft. ocean cruising ketch. My deck plan is to be
Port Orford Cedar strips, (about 3/8 inch thick, vertical grain),
epoxied onto a fiberglass sheathed epoxy subdeck. How would you treat
the exposed wood to preserve it but maintain it's non-skid? I'm
thinking of stabilization from shrinkage and cracking of the exposed
surface primarily. Rot protection and stain protection are other
considerations. Real world experience is especially desired.

I quess your mind is made up to use Port Orford cedar since you
already have it.

Port Orford Cedar has been used for laid decks, thats true but it has
traditionally been canvased over or covered with mahogany from my
understanding.

Since you want to use local woods of the two I would go the canvassing
route.

As far as finishing route, I would roll a thinned, clear, epoxy resin
with a slow hardener. MAS epoxy allows thinning up to 10% with
alchohol. This will allow the epoxy to flow out as much as possible.
Lightly sand it, and proceed with multiple coats of a high quality
varnish with good UV additives. The Varnish will protect the epoxy
from UV breakdown if redone periodically.

I have had luck with the epoxy/varnish approach on douglas fir in the
sub tropics so you should be fine.


As far as
T