A Deck Dilemma

[ron ll]

Ready for the final glass cloth, then paint and reinstall hardware.

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[ron ll]

I really don’t like the new look, but at least it’s dry below now. I might try some different colors. Altho I’ve found that trying to imitate a wood look with paint is a fool’s errand.

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[pcford]

Pat doesn't like fir plywood because it checks and it prints through paint unless it's glassed. It's something of a running theme.

The real reason Pat does not like fir plywood is that it rots and the surface is unstable.

[cstevens]

The real reason Pat does not like fir plywood is that it rots and the surface is unstable.

Fair enough Pat. I shouldn’t put words in your mouth. Still I’ll wager all the money in my pockets that deck with outlive you and me both.

Ron, I think it looks great personally, but I see your point about the colors. Maybe look at some Hylan and Brown restorations for ideas? They have done some spectacular painted workboats that have a very Snoose feel. Grayling in particular. Just a warmer gray for the trim and a lighter gray for the decks would make Snoose look even better than she already does.

[ron ll]

I guess I’m starting to get used to it. Everyone else seems to like it. And once she gets the windlass and other deck fittings back on, it might blend a bit better. I think the sudden change after 20 years with the plank deck is what I’m having trouble adjusting to.

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[Glenn.brooks]

Nice job on the glass work.

Half the old wood fishing boats I’ve been on in Alaska used roofing tar to seal the deck seams. The other half were overlaid with canvas and bedded and painted with various thickened paint or various formulations of deck pint. One used to be able to buy a liquid deck coating actually made from a milk base. Can’t remember the name of it, but Doc Freeman’s used to send hundreds of gallons to Alaska every year for deck sealant. I laid a canvas deck with it once and it did a wonderful job.

[ron ll]

Arabol? The previous owner had used that on one of the decks. It worked for a while…until it didn’t.

[ron ll]

Okay, I need opinions on color. I should know better but here goes.
Do you prefer the light gray as the deck is painted now? Or the orangish brown of the test panel? Or is the brown trying too hard to imitate the old deck?

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[Yeadon]

Which light grey is that? As in, paint maker and model name.

[Peerie Maa]

I would go with the gray.
As an alternative, fishing craft with painted decks round here used red lead. Hard wearing and highly visible when you needed to be seen. The modern alternative would be hi vis orange.

[ron ll]

Which light grey is that? As in, paint maker and model name.

Custom for Snoose from Peter Marshall, Marshall’s Cove.

[Yeadon]

The red-orange is sort of interesting. I don’t hate that. I’d have been tempted to head toward the drab olive greens for the deck. Maybe even Dull Dead Grass.

[Peerie Maa]

The red-orange is sort of interesting. I don’t hate that. I’d have been tempted to head toward the drab olive greens for the deck. Maybe even Dull Dead Grass.

The same boats used olive green, or tan for the coamings, timber heads, and the inside of the rails.

[Yeadon]

You know who I’d want to hear from on this question? Amish Rob.

[amish rob]

Oh, I certainly don’t need to give anyone any of my “expert” opinions about anything.

[Peerie Maa]

You know who I’d want to hear from on this question? Amish Rob.

Just So.

[wizbang 13]

Shoot yer lazer thermo gun at that brown in the hot sun.

[Spot]

Shoot yer lazer thermo gun at that brown in the hot sun.

We don't need no stinkin' lasers...we gots charts and graphs and stuff...your point is well made Wiz.

[Yeadon]

Yellow deck it is!

BTW, the reason I (unsuccessfully) tried to pull Rob in is that he has an A+ grasp on color theory. (I would suspect Chris and Bruce do too.) And you already have a great palette going, you just need that final piece. I agonize over this sort of stuff.

[nrs5000]

What about a light tan or buff color?

[Woxbox]

The gray. The orange/brown is way to heavy and out of character for the boat. And as pointed out, would get hot.

[amish rob]

Yellow deck it is!

BTW, the reason I (unsuccessfully) tried to pull Rob in is that he has an A+ grasp on color theory. (I would suspect Chris and Bruce do too.) And you already have a great palette going, you just need that final piece. I agonize over this sort of stuff.

Yeah, sorry to that. I try to opine as little as possible here, anymore.

[Canoeyawl]

I have used good old "Spar Buff"on a couple of decks and liked it.

[cstevens]

Purely my personal opinion, but I would not paint the decks a “wood” color. Spar buff would look really good but I’m not sure it really fits Snoose. I do think they would look good with a neutral color that is a bit lighter than the trim and cabin tops. But if you want a stronger color, how about dark red like Molle B?

[ron ll]

Good opinions all, I’ll probably stay with the gray. As to the brown being out of character and too hot, that’s the color it has been for at least as long as I’ve owned her. But as I’ve mentioned before, trying to imitate a wood color with paint never really looks right. And as to the mast buff or spar buff, I tried those on the rear deck a few years ago and it really clashed with the gray/green, didn’t work at all.

[Yeadon]

One of the best things about the current color is that it is already on there, dry, and ready to cruise.

[Peerie Maa]

But as I’ve mentioned before, trying to imitate a wood color with paint never really looks right.

Weeel, you could always learn wood graining

[cstevens]

One of the best things about the current color is that it is already on there, dry, and ready to cruise.

This ^^

[ron ll]

Weeel, you could always learn wood graining

Yeah, no.

[ron ll]

One of the best things about the current color is that it is already on there, dry, and ready to cruise.

Good idea! Just have to remount the windlass, easy deal.

[Pelirrojo]

A common trick we use is to paint the trim at the base of the cabin house a different color, usually one matching the cap rails, it provides a visual break between the house and the deck. I’m Snoose’s case I would recommend using the dark blue that your bulwarks are painted.

nicholas

[ron ll]

The Seattle rains have returned. I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was to explore the fo’c’sle with a bright flashlight looking for drips and finding not a one! Saw a couple of wet looking drips but discovered they were just hardened drips of epoxy. Of course I had already tested it with a hose, but I’ve found that rain has a way of finding leaks that hoses don’t. I have already gotten used to the light gray color of the deck, it looks to anyone else like it’s always been that way.

I’ve also installed a 12v muffin fan under the port (unused) hawse fitting which does a great job of pulling air out of the dead end bow. I’ve fashioned a curved metal vent scoop above it that can be in place at the dock and removed for under way.

Now seeing that I originally titled this thread a “dilemma”, that seems kind of silly. This may have been the best bang/buck project I’ve ever done on Snoose. I think I’m going to plan a ceremonial burning of the plastic tarp that used to be over the vee berth.

[wizbang 13]

The Seattle rains have returned. I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was to explore the fo’c’sle with a bright flashlight looking for drips and finding not a one! Saw a couple of wet looking drips but discovered they were just hardened drips of epoxy. Of course I had already tested it with a hose, but I’ve found that rain has a way of finding leaks that hoses don’t. I have already gotten used to the light gray color of the deck, it looks to anyone else like it’s always been that way.

I’ve also installed a 12v muffin fan under the port (unused) hawse fitting which does a great job of pulling air out of the dead end bow. I’ve fashioned a curved metal vent scoop above it that can be in place at the dock and removed for under way.

Now seeing that I originally titled this thread a “dilemma”, that seems kind of silly. This may have been the best bang/buck project I’ve ever done on Snoose. I think I’m going to plan a ceremonial burning of the plastic tarp that used to be over the vee berth.

And How !!!!
Locking up deck leaks are one of the biggest gifts one can give to a vessel !

[cstevens]

What was it that I said earlier? Oh yeah...

...my bet is that if you cover it and paint it, the first time that it rains and you don't have to deal with tarps and a wet bunk you will forget all about the look of the planked deck.

Congratulations Ron! The wonderful thing about eliminating a persistent and uncomfortable problem like a deck leak over the bunk is that not only do you eliminate the actual problem but you also eliminate all the time and mental effort spent in *anticipating* the problem. All those "forecast calls for rain better rig the tarp but I know we are still gonna get wet because it happens every time." thoughts can now be replaced with a well-deserved satisfaction in a job well done.

[ron ll]

What was it that I said earlier? Oh yeah...



Congratulations Ron! The wonderful thing about eliminating a persistent and uncomfortable problem like a deck leak over the bunk is that not only do you eliminate the actual problem but you also eliminate all the time and mental effort spent in *anticipating* the problem. All those "forecast calls for rain better rig the tarp but I know we are still gonna get wet because it happens every time." thoughts can now be replaced with a well-deserved satisfaction in a job well done.

Yup. A definite I told you so moment. That coupled with Bobcat’s “There’s a lot to be said for a dry bunk”, gave me the push I needed. Those were the first two responses to my OP.