Boat floor

[jhunt4679]

I'm working on my 88 21' Galaxy new floor, stringers, and transom. I am looking for suggestions for deck covering, I want to ditch the carpet idea and go with an epoxy or something I can hose down. I know there are so many options so I figured I would ask for advise as far as ease of install and durability. I also have to coat about 18" up the side walls.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Rhino lining would be my choice

 

[Corjen1]

Are you looking for texture and grip???

 

[ondarvr]

You will be using fiberglass for the surface and gel coat works well as a non skid surface, it's easy and you're already working the the products.

 

[Woodonglass]

+2 on the GelCoat and you can add some playground sand to the final coat to add a bit more "Grip" to it if you wish. Doesn't take a lot and it'll turn out great.

 

[jhunt4679]

Doesn't the gelcoat become fragile as far as cracking though?

 

[ondarvr]

No.

 

[Woodonglass]

As ondarvr stated, no, in fact it's one of the most durable coatings you can apply. It's basically polyester resin with a color additive. I think you'd be pleased with the results.

 

[hotrod53]

I did wood, coated it with 2 part resin, then covered it with marine carpet. If I knew then what I know now, I would have used the rubber sheeting that Ranger used in their new boats.

 

[Woodonglass]

If I were a serious fisherman with a flat decked fishing boat, I'd gelcoat the deck then custom cut and fit some of these to cover it with. Easy to keep clean, great footing, and you can wash everything to the bilge. When it's time to sell the boat you can remove em and use em in the next boat and just buy a few extras to make the custom cuts for it. $200 bucks will cover most decks.

 

[oldboat1]

I like to use epoxy, and would generally be comfortable with that. But epoxy would be rigid, and subject to flexing/cracking on a floor. In any case, I like the idea of covering with a removable non-skid product like Woodonglass suggests -- maybe simply the bulk stuff used on tread steps or similar, cut to fit (Lowes or Home Depot stuff).

 

[ondarvr]

We should back up here for a minute.

Are you fully glassing in a new plywood floor, or do you plan to just tab it in around the edges and then coat the bare plywood with some product?

Most people glass over the entire plywood floor, this leaves a perfect surface for gel coat, other products can be used too.

If you plan to use something over a bare plywood surface then your options change.

 

[Woodonglass]

Well, since he stated he's going up the walls 18" I assumed he's fully tabbing in the deck like most All 21' fiberglass boats do. I'm NOT suggesting he go up the walls with the mat I suggested. Just the flat deck surface AFTER he gelcoated everything. If I used the decking material, I'd also seal and wax the Gelcoat as best I could to prevent staining. As we all know Gelcoat IS porous and WILL stain with fish blood etc. if it's not maintained properly. It will get Slick as glass if you seal and wax it but...with the deck grid material over it that becomes moot.

 

[jhunt4679]

Thank you for the info I'm going with the gel coat idea, now any suggestions on brand?

 

[ondarvr]

Thank you for the info I'm going with the gel coat idea, now any suggestions on brand?

You won't know the brand, and it won't make much of a difference.