Video · DIY Builds & Mods
Backyard Fiberglass Boat Build Part 2: New Deck on My Old Skiff
I keep rebuilding my old flats skiff in the backyard, tearing out the rotten deck and glassing in a new plywood one.
What’s in this video
This is part 2 of my backyard skiff rebuild. I knew nothing about fiberglassing when I started, so I’m learning as I go. First I strip the skiff and cut out the old deck. Then I fabricate a new deck from Douglas fir marine plywood, seal it with resin and prep it, and repair the damage I found in the hull.
After that I install the deck, glass it in with biaxial cloth and chop strand mat, modify the bow and bench, and put in deck hatches. If I can do this, so can you. Little skiffs like this, Johnsen and Gheenoe style, can be found cheap on Marketplace, so it’s a fun way to get on the water.
Key moments
- 0:00 Project background
- 0:49 Stripping the skiff
- 2:13 Removing the old deck
- 5:14 Fabricating the new deck
- 8:02 Resin sealing and prep
- 10:51 Repairing hull damage
- 14:15 Deck installation
- 18:31 Fiberglassing the deck
- 24:07 Bow and bench modifications
- 28:08 Installing deck hatches
Quick takeaways
- I used general purpose polyester resin, 1208 biaxial cloth and chop strand mat, all listed in the description.
- The deck is Douglas fir marine plywood that I bought at Lowes, sealed with resin before it went in.
- Small used skiffs similar to mine often sell for under $500, so a rebuild is a cheap way into a boat.
Gear from this video
Affiliate links: some of these links earn KayakDIY a commission at no extra cost to you. Links and codes are from the original video description, so prices and availability may have changed. Affiliate disclosure.
- FGCI Main Site)
- FGCI Amazon Site)
- Deck Hatches
- On The Fly Jack Plates
- PWC Doctor Versiplug #1501
- Fuel Water Separator
Backyard Fiberglass Boat Build Part 1: Buying and Testing a Skiff
Backyard Fiberglass Skiff Build Part 3: Gel Coat, Deck and Outboard
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