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how-to-build-a-fibreglass-boat-deck

How to build a fibreglass boat deck that doesn’t get hot

Every few years I refit my boat, building in a custom non-slip fibreglass floor that doesn’t get hot.

The main advantage of course is that I can run around all summer with no shoes AND I can place fish on the deck without running to grab a wet towel or throw a few buckets of water on the floor.

It is so important when landing a big fish that you take particular care of her and placing her on hot deck is a definite no no.

And when the fish hooked is a metre barra, you seriously don’t want to be fussing around cooling the deck!

So the best idea, for me anyway, is to build in a fibreglass boat deck that doesn’t get hot.

And when I posted a couple of pictures on facebook of me building the deck, plenty of people asked how to do it.

So I have prepared this video that takes you through the process step by step.

Now I am not an expert fibreglasser, so please excuse me if I am doing this incorrectly or using an old method etc.

I have done this every three or so years to each of my boats and I have my own process and if there is an easier way please feel free to share it.

This is just how I do it and have been doing it for many years and it seems to work out OK.

To summarise the process…

First step is to cut out the old floor and use it as a template. If you are starting from scratch you may need to get a chippy mate to help.

I use marine grade ply as I find it lasts longer but I have used structural ply in the past and that works OK too.

Firstly I coat the underside with polyester resin to seal it.

I always thicken the resin with industrial talc or flattening agent just to get a nice and thick coat.

I use chopped matt glass and again thicken with talc for the top side, being careful to reseal the edges after I trim off the excess.

Finally I colour tint and thicken some flowcote and stipple roller it when wet so I get a nice rippled non-slip finish.

That is it in a nutshell.

Cool in summer non-skid fibreglass boat floor

As part of the upgrade we also got a new motor and some new electronics.

To find out why I chose the equipment I did, you can check out these later blog posts.

Garmin Marine CHIRP technology

Two stoke vs four stroke outboard


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Picture of Ryan Moody
Ryan Moody
Ryan Moody started his fishing career on the reef boats before catching bucket list marlin for the likes of champion heavy tackle angler Johnno Johnson, INXS and the King of Sweden. Branching out in the late 80's to guided barramundi fishing, Ryan has made a name for himself as a Big Barramundi specialist and to date has put clients onto over 2000 metre plus barra. That is over 2 kilometres of metre plus barra! With attitudes changing from 'keep all you can' towards catch and release, Ryan has decided to share his extensive knowledge and hopefully inspire people of all ages to get out from behind the computer screen/TV and into the fishing outdoors lifestyle he has spent his life perfecting.
Picture of Ryan Moody
Ryan Moody
Ryan Moody started his fishing career on the reef boats before catching bucket list marlin for the likes of champion heavy tackle angler Johnno Johnson, INXS and the King of Sweden. Branching out in the late 80's to guided barramundi fishing, Ryan has made a name for himself as a Big Barramundi specialist and to date has put clients onto over 2000 metre plus barra. That is over 2 kilometres of metre plus barra! With attitudes changing from 'keep all you can' towards catch and release, Ryan has decided to share his extensive knowledge and hopefully inspire people of all ages to get out from behind the computer screen/TV and into the fishing outdoors lifestyle he has spent his life perfecting.

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