Floor Tabbing-To Bond or Not Bond?

[Speed of Heat]

Bought a I/O ski tug for the kids. Standard rotted out floors and fuel/water soaked foam. All gutted out and ground back. When I removed the ply flooring, it was not bonded to the hull. It appears to have been just placed on top of the chine flats with a gap between the edge of the flooring and the hull. Glass cloth and was then placed across the gap (1/4") and covering the floors and up the inside of the hull. (topside only) I asked a boat yard repair guy about bonding the floor to the stringers and side of the hull and he said don't do it. I didn't want to question him as he was good enough to take a minute to talk to me seeing he was real busy. Anyway, is this done to prevent stress risers in the side hull or just a quick and dirty repair practice that makes it easier to replace the decking next time? -Also can anyone comment about using pre-laminated ply sheets (poly) for flooring. Bonded or tabbed in with epoxy? I have a inexpensive source for 3/4 " material.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Floor Tabbing-To Bond or Not Bond?

I bonded AND tabbed the decking to the hull...hope I won't have to get it out anytime soon

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Floor Tabbing-To Bond or Not Bond?

Welcome to iboats.

We have the most complete restoration section available.

You mentioned the boat as a ski tug...... regardless I am sure you will be able to find a similar boat that has either been completed or is in the process of completeion here. We have a nice Completed Project section. Start browsing.

The one thing I can tell you is that all the stringers here are "bedded" then bonded......

Post a few snapshots of your boat and your plans. You will find we have a true professionals here (that actually do this for a living) and the experiance level here is amazing.

Once again welcome!

 

[jonesg]

Re: Floor Tabbing-To Bond or Not Bond?

This might be different, I have a molded liner sitting on foam.
My deck is not bonded to the hull sides itself, the glass liner goes up and is attached under the gunnel.
When I reinstalled it, I glued the deck to the foam with PL construction glue and glassed the cut line all around the edge of the deck where I cut it loose.

Anyways... what you need to be carefull of is creating a hard point in the side of the hull, the hull needs to flex a slight amount to prevent cracks forming on the hull exterior sides.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/TopTwenty.htm
PL is good for bedding, especially the 30 minute work time.

 

[rucaradio]

Re: Floor Tabbing-To Bond or Not Bond?

I went the PL route last week to bed my stringers. That stuff works GREAT! Excellent for filling in spots that would normally need to be "peanut buttered" prior to glassing!