Thread: Timber and finish for boat deck

By pontoon, I'm assuming you just mean one of those floating dock thingies.

Go to your local hardware and buy hardwood decking. Cheap. It's good stuff - it's also what my local TAFE (and I) uses as the hardwood in its boats. It's supposed to be kapur but goodness really knows. As for a finish - any marine varnish or oil. Again, you can get that from your local hardware without spending squillions.

Richard

G'day Namtrack!

Teak would be the ideal, but getting prohibitively expensive now. Old oak, especially european oak would be good too. If the pontoon is more work-toon (!) than pleasure-toon(!!), perhaps a decent grade of marine ply, sealed with oil (not varnish) might do.

As to other hardwoods, will the 'toon be subject to saltwater or very strong sunlight? if so, may I suggest some conventional decking such as red gum - but well sealed with oil...
Cheers!

Originally Posted by namtrak

A friend has just asked me to do some research on a timber deck for a pontoon.

The pontoon is about 20 foot by 8 foot and he is after a dark hardwood as the floor. He is also interested in what sort of finish he should be using?

Any suggestions

Cheers

I've used brushbox decking from a timber yard for something similar,So far its been out in the sun and spray for about 3 years without any problems(unfinished).Deck olje is a pretty good marine oil,easy to apply(every 6 months or so),just lightly sand ond slap it on.Varnish is a fair bit of work and usually has to be re-applied or touched up every year or so depending on conditions.Looks fantastic though it may be too slippery.
I agree,any house type hardwood decking should be OK.Gal fastenings might be a good idea too.