Sailing and fishing together is an amazing experience. But if you don’t have a casting boat how will you experience that? Fiberglass boats are a better sea keeper, more stable, and last more than other boats.
If proper maintenance is done it may last up to 50 years even. So let us see how to build a casting deck on a fiberglass boat through a detailed guide. Without further ado let’s see how can you make your DIY casting platform.
What casting deck is?
The casting deck is a smooth, durable surface that allows you to do fishing at the timeline of sailing in the water. This allows you a non-slippery and stable standing .usually you get a lot of space underneath the casting deck for the fishing items. Now let us see how to build a casting deck on a fiberglass boat.
Go for a removable casting platform:
Before you go to the main steps we would recommend you to go for a removable casting platform that can be adjusted according to our needs. We will tell you the steps to install it in the further steps. Keep going.
1. First and foremost build your casting deck plans:
When you are up for how to build a boat deck you must go for a lightweight casting deck but a sturdy one. You can easily cut and set plywood but that won’t be worth the effort and will surely be unsustainable. Depending on the size of your boat you need to decide on further. Here is what you need to plan.
- Decide which deck size is convenient, if you have a smaller boat don’t go for higher decks, that might be unsafe.
- Decide on the live well access, furniture, rod holders, etc.
- Decide how high the boat sections need to be placed or it will just be flat.
These are the factors you need to think about before you prepare for your boat casting deck.
2. Buying boat casting deck material:
After you have planned out everything next step is to buy the deck materials. Here are the things you need:
- Marine-grade plywood, ab, ac, or MDO plywood
- Fiberglass cloth
- Epoxy resin
- Hatch frames and covers ( for commercial hatches)
- Hinges or latches (DIY hatches)
For the parts of the new deck, you need to buy plywood of half-inch or 3 quarter inch. AB, AC, or MDO plywood works great but going for marine plywood is the best option, to be honest.
How to do the gluing check? Well, the answer is the boil test. While doing the boiling test if the plywood starts to peel off or even after an hour, it’s simply not suitable.
If you want to get the storage space underneath for a commercial hatch then you should buy hatch frames and covers. On the other hand, if you want to build a hatch by your self then buy latches or hinges. Make sure the fiberglass boat hatch lids are sturdy enough.
3. Making templates:
Then comes the step of making templates. Making pre templates out of cardboard will save a lot of time. Though it may sound hazardous, racing out shapes in a piece of cardboard will make your complicated work a lot easier. Use the cardboard to cut out your desired size then press out in thin plywood sheets.
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4. Cutting out deck shapes and taking the fitting test:
After you have stressed the shapes in a plywood sheet cut out the Deck Shapes using a Circular saw.
Make sure you haven’t made the cut edgy always free some space and cut it oversize. If you make it oversized it can be reshaped properly but if its sizes are small then it cannot be reshaped rather it would be difficult to cut it again.
5. sanding:
The fourth step is to start sanding. The smoothness of your boat will depend upon the process of sanding. After you have cut out the Deck shape and taken the fitting step next comes the step of sanding. If the size and the fitting of the plywood are perfect then slightly remove it and go for sanding the edges.
6. Measuring out the frame:
To make sure that your boat is stable enough you need strong support for the frame. Take the measurement needed for supporting your plywood then go for cutting out in exact measurements from the studs. pack all your pieces together.
7. Screwing, attaching the frame, and application of tung oil:
For replacing the screws take out the frame on plywood you made previously and draw the necessary guidelines. If the screw guidelines are exposed, attach the Deck frame to the opposite side of the plywood with screws.
Next, move on to the step of attaching the frame. You already have complete exposure to the guideline for the formation of the frame. The screw guideline will help you to attach the frame and Plywood.
When you are sailing on the water, remember that everything on the boat is sustainable. Both tuning Royal and wood varnish work great for gluing your rear casting deck.
So to make your casting deck in fiberglass strong enough apply double layers of best quality tongue oil or use wood varnish. After the gluing process is over leave your deck for 24 hours for drying.
if you use varnish you can go for this one right here. besides, you can also use any other wood protectant product.
8. Carpet installing:
The first and foremost part that needs to be taken care of is that your carpet needs to be non-slippery. Just think for a second if your carpet is slippery what accidents may take place while fishing and sailing together? Crazy right?
So when that is ready it is time for going to the carpet installation step. Make sure that you have chosen a nonslippery carpet for your deck.
To install the carpet you can go for 3 ways. The first way is to glue the carpet to your deck. The second way is to staple your carpet. And if you are confused about which one to go for a body about the sturdiness of the carpet then you can go for both ways together. First of all, glue your carpet with the Deck and then staple the edges.
To start the gluing or stapling process, place the carpet facing upside down. Place the carpet on top of the plywood template and cut it according to the shape leaving some extra inches. ( 3 to 5 inches). confused which carpet to use? You can select from here.
Installing the removable deck:
As you have got your casting deck take it along and place it on the Deck section to see the fitting. To sail in the water give it a just check my standing and roaming on top of it.
How thick are fiberglass boat hulls?
The thickness of the fiberglass boat hulls depends on the time when it was built. The older fiberglass boats were very thick and the ones found these days range from 1.5 to 2 inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an aft casting deck?
It is referred to as a smooth, flat surface that allows you stable footing while fishing. it is also known as deck forward.
What is the rear deck of a boat called?
A rear deck is considered to be aft or after deck.
What is a poling boat?
A flat bottom propelling with a pole that is a narrow and shallow draft boat in nature.
Concluding the bottom:
While concluding the bottom let me remind you that a fiberglass casting deck or a 16 ft fiberglass boat for fishing is an ideal and durable choice to go for. I hope there is no confusion remaining regarding how to build a casting deck on a fiberglass boat nor how thick are fiberglass boat hulls. Therefore without spending much go for the DIY process just today.
