I Need Help!!!

[muskiehunter507]

Hey guys, first timer here. I just bought my first boat...an aluminum 1975 mirrorcraft 14ft. I got a great deal on it, however...it does need some work. As of now, the boat is just a shell with a half assed floor the previous owner put in. For now my main concern's are as follows.

1. Replacing foam
2. Replacing wood floor

Of course, money is a big factor in the rebuilding of this boat. So i would appreciate advice that has minimum cost.

My tentative plan as of now:

1. Remove existing floor...along with foam and other debris.
2. Using existing floor as template for new floor.
3. Making a sort of "sandwhich" of foam. Sealed plywyood with a sheet of foam between another sealed sheet of plywood.

*the supposed "logic" behind the 2 sheets of plywood with foam in the middle; too isolate foam from bottom of boat allowing water to run freely to bilge pump in rear of boat.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: I Need Help!!!

Welsome to Iboats! Good thinking about the drainage, make sure you seal the plywood well, as well as the foam. The foam will hold some moisture that can prematurely rot the new wood floor, especially if there's no air flow. Make sure it's all water tight and it should last.

 

[Doug N.]

Re: I Need Help!!!

I would seal it up by "painting" it with epoxy resin. I have built two plywood boats and that is how the plans recommended sealing the wood. Make sure you let the plywood dry in the sun before sealing it, otherwise the moisture will make its way out through the coating and cracks will form. I found this out the hard way on my jon boat. Now I have to sand the paint off and re-coat with resin. That's the beauty of DIY: you know how to fix your mistakes.

You could also put some poly or fiberglass cloth down for better traction; that worked out pretty good on both my wooden boats.

I see you live in MN. Me too. The River Inn in Hanover has good food if you get out this way.

Best of luck.

 

[muskiehunter507]

Re: I Need Help!!!

Thanks for the advice on sealing the plywood. Is there a particular epoxy you would recommend? Also, the boat has a very limited amount of foam in the existing floor. Is there a rule of thumb for how much foam I need to install with the new floor? If so any recomendations?

 

[Doug N.]

Re: I Need Help!!!

I get my epoxy from raka.com. You can get West System epoxy from Boat US in Bloomington on Lyndale Ave and about 94th St. (I think). West is good, but spendy. There are several threads on where to get supplies. I have had real good luck with Raka.

I'm sure there is a way to figure out how much foam to use, but I don't know it. One way to go would be to put in a plywood floor and put big pieces of foam underneath, rather than making a plywood/foam sandwich. That is how one of my aluminum boats was made and it would certainly be easier.

Hope that helps.
D