Nidaplast deck !!

[tim2658]

Has anyone ever used nidaplast instead of ply to replace a deck, it’s very reasonable and very light, I know a lot of boat companies are using it but didn’t know if it’s any good for a rib !!

[xlgum]

Made a deck from it for a shetland Alaska 600.
Nice to work with, very light. Only strong after glasfiber!!


Top sides are a pain in the b.. to close

[butty]

Would not be very good if you wanted to screw / attach anything down to it as there is nothing to bite to. You would want to put high density foam or plywood in areas of attachment.

[tim2658]

Thanks xlgum you made a lovey job of that !! And butty your right that’s what I wondered about with the consoles but I might just glass them in so no fixings in the deck at all !!

[willk]

Originally Posted by tim2658

Has anyone ever used nidaplast instead of ply to replace a deck, it’s very reasonable and very light, I know a lot of boat companies are using it but didn’t know if it’s any good for a rib !!

Nidaplast is a standard material in the RIB industry. As mentioned above, you can't secure structural items like seats to it but if you glass these items in then Nidaplast is probably vastly superior to ply.

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by willk

.... if you glass these items in then Nidaplast is probably vastly superior to ply.

It's a good job you covered your back using 'probably' Try breaking or bending a 20mm sheet of marine ply - even using a sledge hammer.

They have a very different application. Marine ply is very strong so if it's moulded into a hull strongly it will add substantially to the boat's strength. Core materials are just spacers for the laminate and they rely on the tensile and compressive strength of the laminate for their rigidity but they don't add strength to the structure - well I guess they do a little, but minimally.

[tim2658]

This is what I was a little worried about !! I’m worried the hull might loose strength

[Bigtalljv]

You’ll probably end up with a deck that won’t be as light as you want. You need a lot of glass and epoxy to make it as stiff as plywood. It will also be a lot more work and a lot more expensive.

[willk]

Originally Posted by jwalker

It's a good job you covered your back using 'probably' Try breaking or bending a 20mm sheet of marine ply - even using a sledge hammer.

The important word was "superior", I didn't mention "stronger". If you want to hit it with hammers (and everyone has their own SOP for materials testing) then I'll agree with you.

With the correct layup of GRP it makes a very solid floor, doesn't rot and is lighter (even after layup).

[xlgum]

All i can say, it is strong as hell!! IF you put glas on both sides.
You get a compact lightweight floor and one thing nobody mentioned.(yes it is above).....it wil never ever rot like the floor that came out!
So maybe it is a little more expensive, you never have to do it again.
Even If you put a screw in it, only one little plastic chamber get wet and not the whole floor.
The seats and consol are glased back in and also the seat in the back with cover is made from nidaplast.
I like to work with it and it is a lot lighter