Hdpe surf platform

[Chugh2o]

I have been trying some new things with my platform and testing some ideas but it looks like I want to try and build a new swim platform.
My plan is to use king starboard in black and make it as narrow as possible with the brackets on my boat and it will have a smooth bottom unlike my stock platform.
I will explore new shapes before I do the final one but I have a pretty good idea of what I want and will work best based on my different tests with my current platform.
My question would be has anyone got the backing on the gatorstep/marinedecking(cheaper version) to stick to a plastic like starboard or hdpe? Or will you need to add extra plastic glue to it?
Do I need to go with 1 inch thick or will 3/4 inch be solid enough because there is a large price difference?
Any suggestions would be great!
Thanks


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[chpthril]

One concern with the brand name stuff, is that King S/B has a textured face, where as a lot of the industrial grade, as in non-cosmetic grade, HDPE has a smooth face. I think the thin adhesive backing on the EVA type decking is going to struggle to stay on long term. I think.

HDPE is known to warp when it gets hot. Even in my shop, out of direct sunlight, a 4' piece resting against the wall, gets a little bow in it during the summer. If I dont use, I have to flip it so it warps back to straight. Id go 1" and even then, put a couple of aluminum angle iron braces across the span between the factory brackets.

Could always make it out of clear acrylic and embed RGB LEDs around it.

[Jetdriver]

I’ve used marine decking to make suck gates float. It stays stuck on pretty well even when submerged regularly. I’ve yet to have any come off that I didn’t peel off myself. I use rubbing alcohol to clean the surface before applying it with good results.
Not sure where you can source such a big piece of hdpe though. If you know of a place do tell, I want to replace my wheel well backings with HDPE covered with carpet. They’re currently wood and rotting as we speak. I haven’t been able to find any pieces longer than 54”.

[gumby]

I get mine from a local plastic shop 4x8 you can get it smooth or textured. plan on paying for it think the Quote was $460.00 for 3/4 They will also cut you what size you need. Bucher supply shops also will have a source for it. Like chpthill says it will warp you will need a lot of support. The teak is 7/8 thick but doubled so 1.75 thick and still needs support it keep it from warping. The flooring sticks to smooth gel coat I don't think you will have a problem with that. I think there was a guy on wake garage that did one HDPE can't remember. I should confess I am a carpenter wood is my thing.

Jetdriver You could use sintra for your wheel wells. It is a lot cheeper.
https://www.wakegarage.com/projects-...-platfom-r172/

[Zackdogg]

There are a bunch of plastic suppliers that you can get big sheets of any plastic you can imagine. I use Interstate Plastics, I’m not sure where you are, but the one in Sac delivers to Reno once a week. I think they charge me $5 shipping for whatever I have on the truck. Their sales people are pretty knowledgeable if you have questions on the properties of individual plastics. The surface of HDPE is kind of naturally nonstick, it has a hard time holding vinyls, but no idea on marine deck. You might be able to prep it with a primer or maybe even wiping with MEK, or something. I know that works as prep for paints on to vinyls and such.


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[Jetdriver]

Thanks for the tip Gumby and Zackdogg!