Rehd,

If the Merganser reardeck is the same as my Baidarka, which I think it is, there is no mention of reinforcement(sp?). That said, my rear deck forward of the rear hatch has 4oz cloth inside and out, with an extra layer of 6oz on the inside where I figure there will be the most stress for enteries and re-entries. I also positioned the rear bulkhead below where I think most of my weight will be. I'm hoping that this will be sufficient. I'm no flyweight so as soon as I hear the first crack I be on the board looking for a fix. I think the tendancy with a first boat(and also maybe with the first boat using a new building process) is to overbuild in order to solve problems that may not occur. Fixing things that aren't broke doesn't make for a light boat.

Just some thoughts.

Ken

: I was planning on a

: Pardon the interuption guys, but I was reading all this and something that I
: had wondered about for my Merganzer I'm planning came to mind. I haven't
: really looked over the plans real close to see what Eric uses, but I was
: thinking of adding a second layer of the deck ply under the rear deck area
: just aft of the cockpit and in the sitting/bracing area you were
: mentioning. With a second layer of ply sandwiching some thickened epoxy,
: the weight would seem to be less, and a smaller rear deck beam would be
: obtainable, with possibly better rear deck strength to boot. A couple of
: false deckbeams would work inside the bend to clamp it in sandwich style
: 'til it sets up.

: I'm thinking of doing it hybrid style, but the little added plywood
: sandwiched in the back would be feasable there as well.

: What do you think?

: Rehd