boat floor covering options?

[pontiacfieroguy]

I'm putting new floors in my 76 basshound 14' trihull because I discovered one small soft spot was really a lot of rot. My plan is to use 3/4 poplar ply fully encapsulated in resin with fiberglass on top and I'd like some type of covering other than carpet that will add even more water proofing and nonslip grip would be nice, I've considered bed liner, rustoleum restore, and generic flex seal.

What is a good option that fits the budget of a broke ccollege student?

 

[ondarvr]

Poplar is a terrible wood for a boat, start reading other threads in the boat restoration section and all of your questions will be answered

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Don't cheap out on the plywood. Marine grades are available. There is as ondavr said many good threads in the restoration threads. We just put a floor in a StarCraft 190 last week of marine pressure treated. 5/8ths is plenty thick for your 14 footer unless the old ply was 3/4's as well. We gave her 2 coats of Spar Varnish 100% including all edges. Bed liner material we could get came in black, far too hot in the Sun. White shows all the dirt, grime and blood. A decision has to be made soon except with all the snow we got today I think it doesn't need to be splashed this week. Probably carpet in StarCraft blue. It held up for 30 years. I wanted to do it in engineered hardwood over the plywood or just white oak with spar varnish, voted down by the owner. If you and he keep it covered and out of the elements the choice is wide.

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

I can't afford marinegrade pplywood and I'm against carpet because I don't have the skill to lay it well.

 

[Ned L]

I agree you don't want to use poplar of any sort on a boat (it is not very rot resistant).

I will say that regular ACX or BCX is more than fine for your sole (deck).

 

[Woodonglass]

Yup, Ext. Grade plywood is all you'll need. Once it's encapsulated in resin and glass it'll last for a good long time. As for a Cheap Final Finish You could use this for $2.50 sq. ft.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OUTDOOR-PAT...310821?hash=item280bd6af65:g:szsAAOSw4UtWRPeT

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

OK I'll use exterior grade ply, I'm not crazy about those tiles because I believe they will hold water and I'm not sure I could make them fit the contours around the edges and I wouldn't know how to make the work with the vertical surface at the front where my deck is about 6 inches higher for my front fishing chair and storage.

 

[garbageguy]

I discovered one small soft spot was really a lot of rot.

As you know, it's probably not the only place there's rot - and potential safety issues. Be safe. Look at the threads ondarvr suggested

 

[SkaterRace]

Carpet is pretty easy to lay down but as mentioned exterior grade plywood is the way to go. That is not something to cheap out on there are lots of other places you can save money.

 

[airshot]

While I do not like carpet as my fish hooks get stuck in it, it is probably your best choice. Carpet is easy to lay, much easier than you might think. My first ever in my life carpet job was in a 16' boat and I got a lot of compliments on it. Just cut it bigger than what you need and then keep trimming just a little at a time until it looks right. Most carpet mistakes are made by taking to much off in one cut. And yes you do need a razor knife to cut it easily or you will mess up the cut. When I replace my carpet next time it will be vinyl on the floor for sure, much easier to clean but I ay stick with carpet on the sides as that will be easier to lay. As others have stated you can't get the right colors in truck bed materials. They do make anti-skid paint in some colors but not sure how it would look? Your boat you will have to decide.

 

[Woodonglass]

OK I'll use exterior grade ply, I'm not crazy about those tiles because I believe they will hold water and I'm not sure I could make them fit the contours around the edges and I wouldn't know how to make the work with the vertical surface at the front where my deck is about 6 inches higher for my front fishing chair and storage.

Hold water?? Not sure what you mean?? They are a porous Grid. Water flows thru them all the way to your deck surface. They're raise off the surfaces just a bit to allow ALL the water to flow to the bilge. They are Easily cut with a jig saw, more easily than plywood. Make a pattern assemble them on the garage floor, layout the pattern and cut. On a raised deck a few Stainless screws and washers would easily hold them in place since they all LOCK together. I'm just trying to show the details of the product NOT trying to talk you into anything. It's your boat and your decision. This is one of many methods for a final decking material. Carpet on a fishing boat would not be my first choice.

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

I didn't realize they were slightly raised to allow water to flow to my bilge, I will look into them more although I'm still learning more towards something that increases the waterproofness of my deck just in case I make any errors in my fiberglassing.

 

[keith2k455]

I've seen some stuff called hydroturf on my wife's cousins boat. It looked really good, almost like it was am upgrade option flooring. It is a little pricey though, but it held up really well and you get choice of colors.

 

[Woodonglass]

If your fiberglassing is not good, nothing you lay down on top of it is going to enhance it's ability to shed water. You MUST ensure it's encapsulated and sealed properly before you put down the final surface regardless of what it is. If you don't you WILL be doing it again in just a few years.

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

My fiberglassing experience only consists of building speaker enclosures and repairing the hole in the hull on my dads 79 thundercraft when i was s teenager but I was under his guidance and he is by no means an expert. I think I can do a good job but my confidence is lacking.

 

[krakatoa]

Yup, Ext. Grade plywood is all you'll need. Once it's encapsulated in resin and glass it'll last for a good long time. As for a Cheap Final Finish You could use this for $2.50 sq. ft.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OUTDOOR-PATI...sAAOSw4UtWRPeT

I like this one,

 

[snowman246]

I got on amazon and ordered flat white Rustoleum Enamel #7790502 for $8 a can. I mixed it with Valspar Hardener 4625 and Rustoleum SkidTex 22242. I rolled this on the floor of my boat and it came out flawless. Mix twice the SkidTex for a better, more constistent distribution of the granules. This is a $25-30 fix that will last a while. Two quarts of the paint should be plenty for you.

​You can pick your color, I chose white to keep the heat down. I have used this about 10 times so far this year and its holding up well. I also clean the floor after each trip with a brush and water to clean up dirt, blood etc. Still looks brand new.

​Also, if you want to go the carpet route, go to Lowes. They sell a rubber backed carpet in numerous colors for about 50 cents a square foot. Rubber backed on a boat is the only way to go.