Florida concentrates a million yachts and recreational vessels on its shores. It is unsurprising because it has 1,305 miles of shoreline, meaning many beaches to fish, sail, and spend a splendid day in open waters. However, sun, water, and salty air will eventually take a toll on your boat, calling for marine carpentry repairs, restorations, and replacements to look good again.
Your boat deck is one of the parts that suffer the most because it is often exposed to UV rays, salt air, and water. Eventually, the material on your deck will start degrading, resulting in soft spots, leaks, rot, and loose planks.
Even though some issues may not seem like big deals at first, leaving them unattended can result in more extensive damage that can compromise your boat’s integrity. Hence, you should look for marine woodworking services if you encounter these issues.
Depending on the damage extension, you may need to replace the whole area or just a few planks on the decking. Still, either way, deck replacement can result in stress between choosing materials, purchasing them, and removing the old decking. So, if you’re unfamiliar with marine woodworking, it’s better to look for professionals who can guide you through the process
When do I need to replace the deck?
1. Inspect your vessel’s deck
Knowing if you need a deck replacement is the first and most challenging thing to do before running to get quotes from marine carpentry companies. A single rotten plank often doesn’t call for a complete replacement. Still, if the damage has already extended to other planks or the supporting structure, a replacement can be better to ensure the deck’s safety when walking on it. Thus, take the time to inspect your deck thoroughly to assess damages and issues.
Although you may think you don’t have enough knowledge to determine whether marine woodworking services can recover your deck, you don’t need to be an expert to notice extensive damage around the deck that accounts for a replacement instead of individual repairs. Besides, don’t hesitate to call marine woodworking professionals if you’re unsure about the extent of the damages you notice.
2. Consider the age of your deck
Knowing how close your deck is to its estimated lifespan can be a good indicator of whether to replace it or just repair it. Suppose your deck is nearing life expectancy and shows significant rotting or damage in multiple areas. In that case, it might be better for custom marine woodworking experts to replace it as minor repairs could result in more expensive in the long run and may not last for so long.
But if your deck is still short of use and the wear and tear is superficial or confined to small spaces, then repairing or replacing the planks will make more sense than replacing the entire deck that is still in good condition.
How long your deck lasts depends mainly on marine woodworking manufacturers’ materials. For example, marine-grade wooden decks and fiberglass often last 15 – 20 years, while foam decking may give you up to 10 years before total replacement. Hence, knowing your deck’s material, the year of fabrication of your vessel, and if it has had any deck replacement before can help you determine if it’s time for a replacement.
What can you expect during your boat deck replacement?
- Assessment of the existing deck: Whether you’re sure your deck needs replacement or are waiting for a marine carpentry professional opinion before giving them the green light, any deck replacement will begin with the experts inspecting your deck for any sign of damage to determine whether you need a total or partial replacement.
- Removing the old deck: After they’ve assessed and sent you an estimate with the discussed materials to replace your deck and any required repairs on the supporting structure, marine woodworking services will remove the existing deck on your vessel. The labor effort may vary depending on the material. For example, teak and fiberglass are tightly bonded to the hull’s supporting structure, and removing them may become a genuinely intensive process.
- Surface Preparation: The next step is to prepare the substructure to ensure it will be a solid foundation for your new deck. Depending on the overall condition of your boat, marine carpentry professionals may repair, reinforce, sand, and clean the deck.
- Installing the new decking: Marine woodworking professionals will proceed to install the new deck onto your boat. Although the installation methods can vary depending on your chosen material, the general process usually involves cutting the planks fitting and securing them in the vessel to ensure a perfect finish.
- Sealing the new Decking: The final step is to seal the deck to protect it from water, UV rays, and wear and tear due to foot traffic. The sealing method will also depend on the material, but it’s usually epoxy or marine sealants, especially for marine carpentry.
Solve all your marine woodworking needs with America Yacht Restoration
Our expert team can help you with any project you have in mind, from color matching to custom marine woodworking for your yacht; we’ll take your project with the same passion you have for it. Regardless of size or complexity, you can trust your vessel in AYR’s like dozens of people before that ended up 100% satisfied with their marine carpentry.
If you want to replace your deck, add a new TV lift, or do whatever else you have in mind with the superior quality of American Yacht Restoration. Contact us today for your appointment!