70's Tri Hull floor replacement need advice.

[kdesjarlais]

Hi,
I am replacing the floor in my old tri hull boat and I have the floor cut out and I noticed that the old floor was not nailed or stapled down.It looks like it had been shabbily replaced before and just made things worse.The seats that I took out were nailed down but not very well.I am repairing the stringers and I am thinking I may have to take them right out and change them completley.
Is there a reason to not nail the floor down? I am thinking it is so that it has a little bit of give.
Can I just repair the stringers with strips of plywood on each side and fiberglass?
Can I put extra support going the opposite way as the stringers?
Thanks

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 70's Tri Hull floor replacement need advice.

Hi,
I am replacing the floor in my old tri hull boat and I have the floor cut out and I noticed that the old floor was not nailed or stapled down.It looks like it had been shabbily replaced before and just made things worse.The seats that I took out were nailed down but not very well.I am repairing the stringers and I am thinking I may have to take them right out and change them completley.
Is there a reason to not nail the floor down? I am thinking it is so that it has a little bit of give.
Can I just repair the stringers with strips of plywood on each side and fiberglass?
Can I put extra support going the opposite way as the stringers?
Thanks

Well first off, I think you need to do a search on stringers and decks (floor) as there are tons of information about it already here. As far as nailed down....I've seen decks that were screwed to part of the stringers and not all and aslo seen a few that wasn't attached at all, other than tabbed into the sides of the hull.

 

[kdesjarlais]

Re: 70's Tri Hull floor replacement need advice.

Thanks,I have read a few of the threads on here but and i have not seen an answer that helps I have also seen different methods to fastening the deck. But I am looking for more solid advice in this one.Thanks

 

[saltwaterbluefish]

Re: 70's Tri Hull floor replacement need advice.

I agree with Cadwelder, might want to read a few more posts before making a decesion. My 2 cents is If you have the space or they were part of the original design have cross frames (boards that would go perpendicular to the stringers) . Just glass them onto the top of each stringer and when you put the deck down screw into the crossframes and not the stringer. Easier to replace a deck then a stringer. For every hole you make put either epoxy or 5200 to slow water working itself in. Then tab the sides to tie everything together. I would never use nails (unless liquid nails counts) to put down anything in a boat.

 

[Psiclown]

Re: 70's Tri Hull floor replacement need advice.

It depends on the existing stringer damage. Post up some pics of what you have to repair. If it were me, I would build all new stringers and glasss them in back to factory. As far as the floating deck I have got mixed reviews on this as well. The major structural support comes from the tabbing to the hull, not screwing it to the stringers. You are correct as it's to allow for hull flex. I'm going to pre-drill and counter sink my deck to the stringers with SS screws, filling the holes with 5200 before tightening down.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 70's Tri Hull floor replacement need advice.

Let me be the first to Welcome you to the iBoats Dry Dock!!!

It is next to impossible to offer sound advice on restoring your boat without pictures of your project. We cannot see what you see!!! My signature has a link to how to post your pics. After we get the pics it will be much easier for us to guide you to the proper solution for your restoration.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: 70's Tri Hull floor replacement need advice.

It is next to impossible to offer sound advice on restoring your boat without pictures of your project. We cannot see what you see!!!

This is indeed a fact ^^

YD.

 

[kdesjarlais]

Re: 70's Tri Hull floor replacement need advice.

Thanks Guys,
I will post some pics when I can. I have been taking pics but just don't have the time to sit and post them at this time.I will post before ,during and after on this thread.Between you guys and some other threads and lots of calling around I think it will work just fine. Thanks again Guys and see you soon with the pics.