Front deck for CS Lil John 16

[tigerdaddy]

Hey, I just found this site today. It looks like alot of great information. There isn't much out there on Carolina Skiffs and customization. I have a Lil John 16' with a 35hp Evinrude on it. My boat has the short front deck with a trolling motor mounted on the port side. I would like a longer deck to cast from and have more moving around room. I have seen the long deck on other boats, but Carolina Skiff says they don't make or sell them anymore and I don't think anyone would part with one if they have it. The fibrerglass guy says it would be expensive for him to fabricate one. I though about plywood, but I am afraid it would have to be too thick to support a person. I haven't seen any references to the Lil John models on this site. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

tiger, welcome aboard.You'll get a lot's of information out of this site.Is the best CS site ever.
Now, to your problem,I would make the deck out of 1/2 marine or exterion green plywood, put a layer of glass under it and two layers on top, if you think it would cave in(depends on the length), you can always put a foot in the middle to distribute the weight in four sections.It's simple and really works.With out the foot plywood would never brake, but it might flex a bit.
Good luck with your project, and post some before and after pics.

[Dave]

There isn't much out there on Carolina Skiffs and customization.

We won't have that problem here! Welcome aboard tigerdaddy 012

Working with fiberglass isn't as difficult as some think, especially if you don't need a gelcoat smooth and shiny surface. Build a template out of cardboard. Choose a good substrate (the center core material), such as plywood, from 1/2 to 3/4" thick and cut it slightly smaller than your template, to allow room for the fiberglass build-up (thickness and along the edges). As NEM suggested, you can stiffen it by placing vertical supports or you can build it like a torsion box for added stiffness and fill the voids with spray foam or rigid foam insulation, very similar to how many fiberglass boats are fabricated. You can adjust the overall thickness of the panel by the width (height) of the stringers.

Applying and working with fiberglass is very well described here: http://www.instructables.com/id/SZJYM6PF90521CA/ Notice this there are as series of articles (intro and steps 1-11). Though the subject of the article is "Fixing A Cracked Kiteboard", the processes and illustrations are helpful for most any fiberglass project.

Dave

[Big Will]

Welcome Tigerdaddy!!!

Clemson fan? Oh well no diff. it's the skiffs we focus on here.

I happen to have made a front deck for a 14' skiff back in 1990. That deck is still strong and functional today. I used 1 sheet of 5/8 marine plywood, and some 2x4 to build the deck then I glassed it in, using resin and mat only on the top and arround the edges. If I can get over to visit the boat I'll get some pictures and post them.

The one I made doesn't weigh any more than a factory skiff deck. Reason being I dropped it in to that lip that runs the length of both sides. Takes less material, looks custom, provides a safety lip for the kids, and you don't have as far to step up and or to step down. Leaves a good sized area for storage.

There are several keys to making it work.

Build the frame first.

Once you have the 3 piece frame fitted to where it fits semi snug and just flush with the area you intend the deck to sit on, fit the plywood.

Cut the plywood to the widest measurement 4 feet back of the point of contact at the bow. Next pop a chalk centerline and then use a square and make dots off of the center line working back in 2" increments to fit the curve. Connect the dots and cut out with a sabre saw. Bevel the cut slightly for a better fit. Also remember you can cut to the line and take a grinder to it to fit it a little closer.

Pin the frame and plywood together with some stainless screws. Suddenly it becomes very rigid.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q246/BiggWilll/deckplans.jpg

The runners only contact the floor at the tips, where the curve of the bow meets the deck, about 4 to 8 inches worth.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q246/BiggWilll/deckplanunderside.jpg



I couldn't afford 3m 5200 back then so all we did was use a grinder to expose the glass beneath the gel coat for about 1 1/2" all the way arround the perimeter of the deck, then used plenty of resin on one layer of glass cloth to put it together allowing the glass to wrap slightly up the side of the boat and slightly under the lip of the 2x4. And the glass is all that holds it in place.

I'm debating about doing it again for my 19' skiff - my factory deck has some rot issues. See post:

http://carolinaskiffowner.com/index.php?topic=1442.msg10465#msg10465

Only now I'm trying to figure out how to do it without the wood. Some say the new divinacell or klegecell materials are good to use as base. I don't know personally I've never used them - yet.

Here's a link for coosa board something I've seen used to custom build decks on gheenoes.

http://www.coosacomposites.com/

Did find this on the web, lots of glass tech talk:

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/archive/index.php/f-37.html

[bryanelders]

Big Will I am thinking of buying a lil john 16 and I am very interested in having a casting deck on the front and back of the boat. The pictures you placed on here have been unposted. Thanks in advance.