Extended Decking

Peter Kotowych · Post by **Peter Kotowych** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:06 am

Hey,
I am planning an extended decking for my Rob Roy. I think it would look 'cool' and add rigidity to the structure.
I guess I want to look at various options.
If I go with regular strips and glass them, will they hold up to a little weight when I enter the boat? Maybe a few cedar ribs for support and strength.

A contrasting deck such as cherry would be beautiful, but add a lot of weight. Maybe I could
obtain some type of veneer and just glue this on top of 1/2" cedar.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Pete

Glen Smith · Post by **Glen Smith** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:09 pm

I used a couple of carlins to support the decks which I made from 3/16" strips glassed on both sides. I could intentionaly sit on the decks without problem.

Peter Kotowych · Post by **Peter Kotowych** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 7:08 pm

Thanks Glen.
It looks like that's the way to go.
Light and strong.

Pete :smile

hoz · Post by **hoz** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:57 am

When you say "entended deck" what do you mean? A full deck, like a kayak? Or like Glens deck?

Kayakcraft has a nice chapter on installing full decks. Basicly you must have temporary supports for the strips (3/16-1/4) until you glass the deck. Then it is removed, flipped and you glass the interior. 4 oz on each side is sufficent. It's the glass and epoxy that give it strength.

Another book, The Kayak Shop, is about S&G builds, and has a chapter on how to develop the camber for domed decks. The same principle would apply to your Rob Roy.

Peter Kotowych · Post by **Peter Kotowych** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:50 am

Hey Hoz,

What I want is similar to Glen's.
However, I would like to give it a more curved look where it
meets the gunnels. I guess I am concerned about the strength
of this narrower part of the deck where it tapers into the gunnels.

If I make a coaming for the deck, I imagine I would have a curved piece of
cedar supporting the underside of this narrower part of the deck. This would certainly
provide sufficient support and solve this worry.

I did not intend this to turn into a kayak, but who knows.
Maybe it will be a Rob-royak.

Pete

hoz · Post by **hoz** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:23 am

Oh, OK

I thot you were maybe going for the decked version.

The original Rob Rob was decked.
http://www.lakegeorgekayak.com/bell_can ... -canoe.htm

Peter Kotowych · Post by **Peter Kotowych** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 8:41 am

Hey,
I guess I never knew how much decking was on the original Rob Roy.
Thanks for the update.
I have taken your suggestion and looked at Ted's Kayak book.
I think I will go with a partial sheer clamp, building the deck on this. Then I will simply have a regular inwale for the remainder of the hull's length.

Pete