# FITTING A DECK

**URL:** <https://forum.clcboats.com/t/fitting-a-deck/34914>\
**Category:** Builder's Forum\
**Created:** [February 1, 2009, 1:07am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/fitting-a-deck/34914 "2009-02-01T01:07:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lawrence\_Watson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Lawrence\_Watson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Lawrence_Watson)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 1:07am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/fitting-a-deck/34914/1 "2009-02-01T01:07:01Z")

</div>

Just finished fitting the deck to my new Chesapeake 17LT – not bad for \< four (4) weeks work!&nbsp;&nbsp; There is a significant camber to the deck, especially in front of the coaming position, and the ply needs plenty of encouragement to sit securely and closely to the sheer line.&nbsp;&nbsp; I dare say the following steps that I took to ensure an excellent fit have been posted here before, but hope they may assist some newcomers (like myself).&nbsp;

&nbsp;To secure the deck to the hull while the epoxy is curing I used industrial-type strapping tape, a little over ½” wide (doubtless it comes in various widths), that is used with a small plastic clip allowing the tape to be run around almost anything and tightened through the clip to give a good solid ‘squeeze’.&nbsp;&nbsp; I used 15 lengths or loops of tape, spaced about equally, but less may well have done the job.&nbsp;&nbsp; Because the tape is quite stiff and the clips are ‘fiddly’ I made up each loop in advance, numbering each and placing a piece of masking tape on the hull with the corresponding number written on it.&nbsp;&nbsp; In this way, once the epoxy had been spread onto the sheer clamps and the deck sections carefully placed on top, it was a quick and simple matter to slip each pre-made loop over the hull and tighten it on top of the deck at the right spot.&nbsp;&nbsp; As the tape is also squeezing the deck inwards&nbsp;rather than just exerting downward pressure – as would be the case with nails or staples – it also encouraged the necessary curvature, even right into the stem and stern.&nbsp;&nbsp; I also quickly found that cutting the tape at an angle – like a spear-head - made it much easier to thread through the small clip.&nbsp; 

The hull is now upside down so that the epoxy may ooze downwards into the joint, rather than out of it, and I can’t wait until tomorrow to turn it over, remove the tapes, stand back, and admire…!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Cheers…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Laszlo\_Morocz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Laszlo\_Morocz](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Laszlo_Morocz)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 6:42am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/fitting-a-deck/34914/2 "2009-02-01T06:42:58Z")

</div>

I know you call yourself a wordsmith, but any chance of a picture? :-) Are skipping the nails?

Laszlo

&nbsp;

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lawrence\_Watson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Lawrence\_Watson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Lawrence_Watson)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/fitting-a-deck/34914/3 "2009-02-01T15:26:38Z")

</div>

Yes - not using any nails, although I have to admit that I do quite like the visual effect of&nbsp;nail heads along the deck line (polished during the sanding process&nbsp;before epoxying the deck).&nbsp;

I will endeavour to add photos, but this 69-year old was left behind during the tech revolution.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I took literally hundreds of digital images through the build, but have not yet mastered the art of sending them anywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp; I shall ask my daughter for help!

I can send hard copies to anyone interested - you could send me your mailing address to [lbw@bmail.com.au](mailto:lbw@bmail.com.au).&nbsp;&nbsp; Guaranteed no scams or penile enlargement offers!

Tape came off this morning - deck looking good apart from a slight 'flat' behind the cockpit area, which is substantially unsupported - but I think i can fix it from inside.

Cheers - thanks for interest.

Wordsmith&nbsp;

Cheers..&nbsp;