Plasteak decking

[acstech]

Hello I have question for anyone that has dealt with Plasteak decking. I am looking at possibly buying a Alberg 29 ,but it is very far from my location. Being winter up here in Canada and the boat is in Canada I will have to wait to go see it. The owner looks to have put a lot of work and upgrades to the boat. He put Plasteak decking on most of the topside. Since I know the Alberg 29 has a balsa core deck does anyone know how the synthetic material will effect a survey for water intrusion?

[SV Siren]

It should not have any effect for water intrusion, as the typical and recommended installation uses adhesives...note I used the word typical.

[chowdan]

Originally Posted by SV Siren

It should not have any effect for water intrusion, as the typical and recommended installation uses adhesives...note I used the word typical. [emoji3]

Do you know what sort of adhesive is used? I've wondered how well the adhesive on the back actually sticks or if one should apply additional adhesive when doing the install

[SV Siren]

Originally Posted by chowdan

Do you know what sort of adhesive is used? I've wondered how well the adhesive on the back actually sticks or if one should apply additional adhesive when doing the install

From my experience, most owners will use the adhesives recommended by the manufacturer. But I have seen epoxy used as well...I would ask the PO what he used. If they did a good job of it you should not have to worry about it at all.

[acstech]

Thank you for the responses
The main concern I had was not so much the quality of the installation, but that it might have been installed overtop of a deck that had previous water intrusion.Would Plasteak mask the deck from feeling soft or the use of a water meter to discover the water intrusion. I am not familiar with plasteak so I don't know how rigid or thick it is.

[SV Siren]

acstech, It might hide water intrusion, sure. Using a moisture meter might not work on the decking where this is installed, and the material might hold water, I cannot say for sure, as I have never used a moisture meter on plasteak. The material is only 1/8" thick, and will not hide any springiness in the deck, it's just not that stiff. It is almost like the rubber material from a tire, just colored.

I would just give the deck a good walking on, and a jump everywhere. If there is no headliner, I would get a sounding hammer and gently tap on the deck from underneath to hear for any voids in the decking, especially around through fittings and any hatches.

[acstech]

Thank you S/V Siren.
I think I have a idea of what Plasteak is like now. I have seen similar material just not on the marine side. I am stuck landlocked in the middle of winter (-24 C this morning), but I will be sure to go look at this sail boat in the spring if it is still available. The P.O. looks too have spent a large amount of money on this little sailboat and the price reflects it. I have been looking at sailboats in 29-35 ft range.Right now I am trying to stay with Canadian sailboats since the exchange is poor. This sailboat is priced right at the top of my price range so I find myself questioning more since I will have less ready money for repairs. One of the big draws for this Alberg 29 is that I could actually purchase it a year early and do work on it before I actually retire. I comes with a very nice trailer so I would only have to pay for one shipping (since it is very far away from me). I could tow it myself to the west coast for my retirement. Any sailboat that I would have to ship alone due to size would have to wait until after I retire.

[SV Siren]

I found the one you are talking about, and yes, that looks really nice, and is the highest priced one I have ever seen, not that I have seen many. It does have a lot of extras, that's fur sure, although if some of the bling is older it does not add much in the way of value, as something will be near the end of it's service life..something to consider. I would suggest that you follow your head, and heart on boat buying, if you leave no or very little budget left for anything, that is not a good thing. I always leave some $$ left over for that one thing, or few things that will pop up, that need to be looked at.


They are pretty boats, and will take care of you if you take care of them. I love the old CCA inspired designs. But I am biased...

[Idylles15.5]

I install Plasdeck and Plasteak at our marina. They have many templates on file and if they don't you make them yourself and they put it on file and digitize it. When then send you the actual product they will tell you how much adhesive you will need and they ship that to you as well in sausage tubes. Not caulking tubes. If you use their adhesive and roll out all the air bubbles properly the whole deck under the plasdeck / plasteak will be sealed. Sanding down the old nonskid to a smooth surface would be even better. My point is that if the installer did the job properly it should be fine. If he didn't you'll find out soon enough on the first hot day when the air pockets / bubbles appear. Even then you can razor blade along one of the teak / holly seams in the area to hide the cut and inject the epoxy. Roll out the air with a rubber roller, the kind they use to put down formica. The owners of Plasdeck are great people in Ohio and the company is very supportive.

[Idylles15.5]

Just to add, if your deck is soft or spongy, in no way will plasdeck conceal or hide that. It is very pliable and would form right into and dents or pockets. It wouldn't hide any soft deck at all.