You may find that replacing the ply is cheaper. I just bought new timber
for the storm boards on my boat. The Ply was cheaper than the paint. By the
time you buy filler and/or glass and do the job it may be in your interest
to just buy a fresh sheet of ply.

DP
wrote in message
oups.com...
We are trying to several more years of service from our old inflatible
dinghy, which has been serving us well despite a few patches. I need
to repair and refinish the three-piece plywood floor now that it has
been dry for a couple of months. The corners of the pieces are worn
and delaminated, so I am wondering what to use to repair them - is
there some wood filler or epoxy that would be best? Also, I was going
to refinish the wood with Cetol but someone recommended a polyurathane
varnish instead. What would be best for a tough finish (not so
concerned about how it looks but I don't want to do this again for a
while)?

Since my husband takes care of the bigger projects with the boat, I am
trying to take on smaller jobs like this. Thanks for any advice or
helpful hints!!!

-Nancy

d parker wrote:
You may find that replacing the ply is cheaper. I just bought new timber
for the storm boards on my boat. The Ply was cheaper than the paint. By the
time you buy filler and/or glass and do the job it may be in your interest
to just buy a fresh sheet of ply.


Have to agree. Plywood has come down in price in this area. This
summer, while doing a renovation project, I was pleasantly surprised to
find that outdoor G1S spruce plywood was only a couple of dollars more
expensive than that crappy 'chip board'.
(of course, this was before the hurricanes)

Would I need to use a special kind of plywood - some "marine" grade or
something? I think that the existing floor is coated with Cetol which
is why I thought that would be the best finish to put on.

Use an industrial grade ( same glues without the price of marine ply).

A/C grade would be fine.
Side one is an A grade smooth good quality finish.
Side two is a C grade, rougher with knots.

If you don't want to cut it yourself the local kitchen makers will often do
it much cheaper than a shipwright.

DP


wrote in message
oups.com...
Would I need to use a special kind of plywood - some "marine" grade or
something? I think that the existing floor is coated with Cetol which
is why I thought that would be the best finish to put on.

wrote:
Would I need to use a special kind of plywood - some "marine" grade or
something? I think that the existing floor is coated with Cetol which
is why I thought that would be the best finish to put on.


I've read that the glue in outdoor plywood is the same as used in the
marine version. The major difference is that all the 'knot hole' voids
are filled in the marine grade but not so in outdoor grade.
Since your dingy is old and will probably be replaced within 3-5 years,
I'd go with the cheaper plywood and seal it well with a good oil
primer/paint. (or Cetol if you already have some)

How about a sheet of plastic? I was looking at the plastic lattice but it is
a little flimsy. Thick lexan is strong but expensive. Any ideas?
- Allen

Nice idea but lexan is slippery and as you said quite expensive. Most
plastics are.

DP


"bushman" wrote in message
...
How about a sheet of plastic? I was looking at the plastic lattice but it
is
a little flimsy. Thick lexan is strong but expensive. Any ideas?
- Allen

Nonskid tape on the lexan. I also saw some hollow stockade fence that might
work. I would like to get rid of the 50 plus pounds my waterlogged floor has
become.
- Allen
p.s.: found 12 inch wide duct tape at HD. called "Big Fix duct tape" goes in
my crsh bag.

In article ,
Don White wrote:

wrote:
Would I need to use a special kind of plywood - some "marine" grade
or something? I think that the existing floor is coated with Cetol
which is why I thought that would be the best finish to put on.


I've read that the glue in outdoor plywood is the same as used in the
marine version. The major difference is that all the 'knot hole'
voids are filled in the marine grade but not so in outdoor grade.
Since your dingy is old and will probably be replaced within 3-5
years, I'd go with the cheaper plywood and seal it well with a good
oil primer/paint. (or Cetol if you already have some)

It's not the same glue. Additionally, marine ply doesn't mix woods
(which expand and contract at different rates, breaking bonds quickly)
and the plies are thinner - more plies & greater strength.

Though I love Cetol, the floorboards can be taken home to refinish
properly and varnish is better for this application as it stands up to
abrasion better.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/