Boat floor

[Lake Jumper]

I'm in the midst of overhauling a 15ft Aluminum Runabout I have. I've ripped out the old plywood floor, and am now getting ready to re-install. I know I could go with plywood again--but what about buidling a floor using boards, like the deck of a house? I'm thinking it would allow for air flow underneath, and limit the wood rot? I would also cover it in outdoor carpet.<br /><br />Thoughts???

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Boat floor

If you did this, I would use pressure treated deck wood,leaving about a 1/4" gap between them, and leave it like that, and forget the carpet. Are your stringers wood too? It might work and look good too.

 

[Lake Jumper]

Re: Boat floor

The stringers are aluminum. I would definately use pressure treated--and or seal the wood first.

 

[Pst76]

Re: Boat floor

For that small a booat if your looking at deck material check out the Trex decking. No maint same size a 5 1/4 PT and I think it may be lighter in weight. Would last forever.<br />Just a thought.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat floor

having been in home building industry for 35 years. plank flooring still expands and contracts to moisture for 20 to 30 years after being installed. thats why the installers leave a gap all around the room. if you butted the board together i think you would see a lot of warping and buckling.

 

[Lake Jumper]

Re: Boat floor

I only have an area approx. 8ft in length--so I could use one piece to run bow to stern and not have to butt them together. I would space the boards to allow for water to drain and expansion/contraction. <br /><br />It would give the boat a different look--I'm just not sure how different!!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Boat floor

Originally posted by Pst76:<br /> For that small a booat if your looking at deck material check out the Trex decking. No maint same size a 5 1/4 PT and I think it may be lighter in weight. Would last forever.<br />Just a thought.

This is my suggestion too. There are a few different plastic flooring products out there. I would look at the ones that are "hollow back" and not solid to save weight. <br /><br />Another option is some extruded aluminum C channel about 2 or 3 " wide. Might look good on an aluminum boat.

 

[Lake Jumper]

Re: Boat floor

I'll have to check out the cost of the plastic stuff. Not sure it fits into the budget!! Just had the boat and trailer stripped and re-painted, will need new seats, etc. Might have to be wood until the budget fund comes back around!! Part of the reason I think I would like an easily removable system.<br /><br />Thanks for the input!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat floor

if you are going to use a slatted floor it will have to be removable to clean under it. i remember as a kids fishing in old wooden boats the had slatted floors( built similar to a pallet) to keep your feet dry. if you dropped something you waited to find it until you got home.

 

[Lake Jumper]

Re: Boat floor

Might be a good way to fund my restoration project!! People can drop their loose change between the boards, and I'll retrieve at end of season!<br /><br />$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[samsam]

Re: Boat floor

Originally posted by Lake Jumper:<br /> The stringers are aluminum. I would definately use pressure treated--and or seal the wood first.

The chemicals in pressure treated are real corrosive to aluminum. Sam

 

[Mark42]

Re: Boat floor

If you are going to screw pressure treated to the aluminum, try cutting up an inner tube into strips to sandwitch between the lumber and aluminum. That should prevent direct contact of lumber and aluminum and the associated corrosion.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat floor

in the contruction industry we are trying to keep the new pressure treated wood completely isolated for any metal surfaces.. to the point when bolting 2 pieces together, the are using rubber of pvc sleeves to isolated the metal from the pressure treating chemical.

 

[TROY MALECKI]

Re: Boat floor

trex or any other composite decking is about one third more in weight than plywood used in the same area. I weighed a piece of 8 ft trex and figured the amount needed compared to plywood I needed for my pontoon boat. Five sheets of plywood weighed 325(65 lbs a piece of 4x8) compared to 530 for the amout of trex I needed ouch !!!! Also think about this plywood is used in boats as part of the structural integrity of the hull, composite decking will not give you that across your hull

 

[Lake Jumper]

Re: Boat floor

Also think about this plywood is used in boats as part of the structural integrity of the hull, composite decking will not give you that across your hull [/QB][/quote]<br /><br /><br />So do you think I should forget about anything other than plywood? The area is only 4X8--could a slat style decking rather than plywood make that big a difference? I have the plywood already--so I could do the usual and cover it in marine grade carpet...