Waterproof PVA works well for me but do apply weights to the decking to compress the joint.This increases the bond strength and pushes surplus glue into the joints between the planks. Its cheap and effective. I then varnish the deck to make the planks and joints between the planks waterproof

I am a medium CA guy with an accelerant handy. I also always cover decks with a oil based spar varnish.
Everybody has their own way of doing things, but as my friends here know I test strip EVERYTHING before jumping in with both feet.
Keep us looped in as to how it goes WW.
👍😉

Hi there, I am in with the crowd who use PVA glue, the cheaper stuff, to glue deck planking down. The only thing is, I do make sure that it is very well sealed with deck stain and varnish before allowing anywhere near the water.

Here is a picture of my model of HMS Exeter over 1000 deck planks which I glued in place.

John

PVA glue penetrates the wood, best join is to put a weight or clamp the wood down, also a pin with an end part is good. When the pin is removed there is a hole but this is just fibres that have been pushed aside and a drop of water allows them to move back to resume their place and hole dis appears.

Have a damp cloth available to stop pva staining the deck when the plank is held in place. I saw a video testing all available pva glues and all the glues worked from cheapest to most expensive, so choose cheap and thick.
However we all have our own way so choose for yourself.

Roy

I use PVA glues for this job: UHU Express or Ponal Express. They are easy to apply, dry within 10 minutes (if the joint is stressed, I leave it for 1/2 hour) and sufficiently waterproof. Another great advantage: glue at the wrong places can be wiped away with a damp rag. To lay bended planks I jam the planks (several at a time) with some scrap balsa and weigh everything down with barbell weights (use the rubberized version, they stick much better to the underground). The deck of the lobster boat in the picture was done that way.

Personally I would use a slow setting (30 minute) epoxy, spread thinly on the plywood, and lay as many planks down as you can in 20 minutes. Spend the remainder time holding all in place until set.

I have some titebomnd III so ill use that. I wasn't sure about how would hold up to getting wet on the lake. Thanks for the info

Hello Westwind,
I am devastated that my English led me to confuse glue with varnish. Thank you, Ronald, for your friendly reminder.
🙈🙈 Go stand in the corner . . .ouuuuuu
Good tip, Ronald, about the glues!
Landlubber Michel-C.

Titebond 111

Keep a damp cloth close at hand to prevent the glue from penetrating the wood surface wherever you intend to apply a clear finish or stain.

This glue requires careful application, using a brush and lightly applied. Clean off excess glue with the damp cloth.

Some will say they use CA. I have a sensitivity to that type of glue. You can also use contact cement which is applied lightly on both the surfaces, though this glue will not allow much movement after contact with the surfaces.