I made mine out of Decolite painted it gelcoat and add prostock scoop,now its super light 20to35 pounds and you can walk on it. it's about 5yrs now still looks good. to make $300to$400

bajabob: The wood is the same amount.1'' thick.I did add
fiberglass resin to everything also alittle fiberglass material
to make the curved edge on the top.I tried to save weight
by having high density foam cut but no one wanted to do
it.plus just the material was $500. It still cant be as heavy
as the water soaked old one.but you are correct I have
considered the extra weight.

Airtime - What is Decolite?

its balsa wood coring with a couple layers of glass on it. it's 4 by 8 sheets .50or .75or 1" I type slow bear with me.

Riverrunner:
When you re-applied the origional vinyl covering did you have any trouble getting everything to fit correctly? It would seem that everything "shrinks" together over time and when you loosen everything up, nothing fits together again.

Did you use standard staples? What about the fabric covering the bottom? Is that resueable?

Thanks,
Bruce...

outlawntexas,I was able to reuse all the vinyl.I must have
been real lucky because the fit was great.One of the friends
helping had rebuilt a hatch before, but it wasnt as bad as
this one started out to be.I think the key to restretching
everything is enough help.They stretched I stapled.The staples
were from boatus.I dont think they were stainless,One of the
guys helping had them from his hatch..Scott

Make sure you use stainless staples. The other will rust in no time and stain the vinyl.

You can use stainless or Monel staples. Does the Decolite hold staples if you want to upholster it?

What are Monel staples and where do you get them???

I gel coated the Decolie. so no,unless you glass stirps of .25 plywood to staple too. I will try to learn who to put pictures on the board this week so you see the boat and hatch it about time Ido this