Tools recommended by Seven Trust boat decking

• Pencil
• Razor knife,
• Cork block + 60 grit sand paper,
• Power sander with 60 – 80 grit,
• Masking tape,
• Rolling pin/Crane 333 roller,
• Sausage gun,
• 2mm V tooth comb,
• Alcohol solvent,
• Water/sand bags
• Flat weights
• MDF/plywood boards

Important notice

This suggested information has been given in good faith based on practical .

1.Preparation

Begin by laying Seven Trust boat deck out flat in a warm, shaded area for at least two hours. This will allow the Seven Trust Boat deck to reduce internal tension and flatten out.

Careful surface preparation is essential to achieve a long lasting and low maintenance deck. Seven Trust boat decking is a flexible material that will contour to the surface it’s adhered to, an unfair surface will be reflected in the Seven Trust boat decking and may result in air pockets and may cause an air bubble at a later stage. Imperfections in the surface such as weld seams, hollows, bumps, etc must be filled with appropriate filler and faired to ensure a smooth, fair surface. Using a power sander with 60-80 grit, sand entire surface to flatten non-skid and remove excess filler, old paint etc (fig.1).

Fig. 1

For application onto steel decks, we recommend the deck to be first prepared and primed with a good quality epoxy primer and bare timber decks must be either treated with a sealer such as Everdure or sealed with FRP.

Remove all fittings, table fastening, etc, if possible.

Wipe the areas to be covered with an alcohol based solvent. Make sure the surface is fair, clean, dry and free from grease and dust.

Once the deck has flattened out, do a “dry” run on your vessel. If necessary minorFig.4 adjustments can be made with a razor knife, a block plane or 60 grit sandpaper. When you are satisfied with the position and fit of the deck, trace the perimeter with a pencil and mask around entire deck to assist locating and clean-up (fig.2). When masking radius corners, the easiest method is to tape them over first and then cut the radius with a razor knife (fig.3). In case of multiple decks make sure planks are aligned.

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Again, remove deck and lay flat in a shaded area

2.Laying down your deck.

Ideal working temperature is between 15º and 25ºC. The best time to perform installation is in the morning or late afternoon and under cover. Excessive heat causes the glue to dry quickly, not giving you time to position panels correctly.

Read the Fixtech adhesive/glue technical and safety data sheets and be aware of the products open time, skin time and type of curing. If a moisture cure product is being used on fibreglass, steel or alloy surface there will be no moisture content in these materials. For these applications we recommend leaving the adhesive open for approximately 10 to 15 minutes to start the curing process.

Using a cartridge/sausage gun or simply cutting the end off the sausage, squeeze out the adhesive. Apply adhesive in 1m² areas and spread evenly with a 2mm  triangular shaped comb (fig.4). Comb adhesive lines in the direction of the planks. One 600g sausage will cover approximately 1m2; this is an excellent guide to ensure that you are using the correct amount of glue.

Fig 4

Lay the Seven Trust boat decking onto the adhesive in a rolling motion (fig.5) ensuring air is expelled as you go. Using a rolling pin, (or purchase a Crane 333 extension roller), roll along the planks expelling the air, this will remove air bubbles and ensure even and total contact (fig.6)

Fig. 5

Fig 6

(TIP1: If you get any glue on the surface of your deck, leave it there until it dries and sand off with 60# sandpaper).

(TIP2: Avoid kneeling on deck while the glue is wet; lay a board down to distribute your weight if you must.)

When the deck is positioned and glued, place flat plywood or MDF boards on top and weight it down evenly with sandbags or waterbags (fig.8), or other suitable objects.All edges, especially corners and curves should be taped down to ensure good adhesion (fig.7)

Fig. 7

Fig.8

Leave tape and weights on for a minimum of 24 hrs or as per the glue supplier/manufacturer recommended time. We recommend a longer curing time in cooler weather.

Remove excess adhesive by trimming around the edges with a razor knife or scrape off with a plastic scraper. Sand any glue from the surface of your Seven trust boat deck with 60 grit sandpaper.

Replace deck fittings and GO BOATING