Steel Hull 45 ft New Deck

[PigZen]

Hi
I need to re-deck this 45 ft steel hull work boat. It is a 1986, Phil Bolger design with a 30 HP SABB engine. It has a steel hull with fore and aft watertight compartments. Th deck is 3/4 inch ply with a thin layer of FG and is rotting. The deck extends under the wheel house but I expect I would want to remove the wheel house and replace the deck there as well. Hull is in very good condition and shows light pitting in a few places. The mast is keel stepped on a steel pedestal. I am considering replacing the deck with steel. Tight budget. Expect to do most of the labor myself. Have carpentry skills but no welding experience. Am a fast learner though. The boat needs to be able to make the crossing from Cuba to Yucatan when complete. Advice appreciated.