Replace Picnic Cat Wooden Components with Plastic

[Thinkerer]

I have a new-to-me Picnic Cat and it looks like the wood takes a beating since it's supposedly ash rather than teak - mine seem a bit soft for ash so they may be replacements made by the previous owners.

I'd like to replace the wooden gallows top and centerboard trunk top plate with plastic lumber or even polycarbonate or other more durable material.  I'm more interested in not having the stuff weather to pieces in a few seasons than perfectly presented.  Would this seem like a reasonable way to go and does anyone have any suggestions about materials to use?


NB: The picture is NOT my boat (pulled it off the FB group since we're in the middle of a Pacific Northwest rainy season and it's tucked away).  If it's your boat...well done! Nice.

[bruce]

No reason not to replace the parts in question with something that you like better. Com-Pac usually uses teak here, but other woods would also be suitable. There's no great structural demands here, the sheet tackle is through-bolted to the SS trunk, the top cover doesn't bear the load. The gallows just support the lightweight spars. There tiller is usually ash, for its better shock resistance and flexural qualities, although teak could work here as well.

Plastic would work. I think cost may be a deciding factor. I would consider UV-stabilized polyethylene, such as King Starboard or similar product, or PVC which has better stability in exterior applications without additional stabilizers. Starboard will take a set rather readily, but the trunk cover is well-backed, and the gallows is on edge. PVC is typically more rigid. I have had luck finding Starboard on eBay for a reasonable price.

I've used composite decking lumber stock from Home Depot to make more foot-friendly treads for the boarding ladder, installed over the existing welded tubing. Don't know the brand, worked fine. Again, no great structural demands here. Probably would be the cheapest option, lots of brands out there to check for something you'd like.