confused about flooring

[BIGcarpy50]

I have a 16foot alum starcraft that i got and ripped the floor out of, what type of plywood is best, marine, pressure treated, or exterior, i have been so confused about it after reading all of these posts,

after the plywood questions what type of covering, roll on bedliner, carpet or what.

thanks matt

 

[rayodunne]

Re: confused about flooring

Use marine if you can get it. If you can't get it use Exterior grade. If you have dried out Pressure Treated Plywood use it too just make sure it is dry!

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: confused about flooring

do i need to treat the different types of wood or what.

 

[drewpster]

Re: confused about flooring

Yes any type of wood you use will need to be sealed is some way. It all depends on how long you want the floor to last. Even the highest grade marine ply is still just wood, so it will soak water.
Before putting the new deck down be sure that any water that will get trapped under the deck has a way to get out.
Some people do as little as use primer and paint to seal the wood. I prefer more reliable methods using either epoxy based or Polyurethane based resin and a thin coat of fiberglass cloth or mat. I follow that with marine polyurethane primer and finally marine paint with antiskid added. To me that is the ultimate seal.
If you do not want to go that far, you can simply paint on several good coats of epoxy resin followed by primer and paint. (sand between coats)
Whatever method you use, the wood needs a sealer to make it last. And it needs to go both on top and on bottom of the wood. That goes double for around the edges.
If you want yo use carpet on top of the sealed wood it will be fine as long as the carpet can stay as dry as possible. I would not use carpet on a boat deck that is going to be stored outside or one used in salt water.

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: confused about flooring

i just came across some free mahagony boards that will be plenty of wood to do the floor, would i need to put epoxy on that or just some type of oil to protect it.

 

[elpirata76]

Re: confused about flooring

Yes you still have to seal it . Wood is wood it rots when exposed to water.

 

[robert graham]

Re: confused about flooring

Those mahogany boards with some type of penetrating oil(like Teak oil)would probably outlast your boat. You could re-apply the oil once a year to keep the wood from drying out and cracking. Plus it would look great and feel good under bare feet. Good Luck!