I am just a poor grandmother who wants to get her grandson off the banks when he comes for the summer. I have read a great deal here about floors. Does an 8' boat need more than one section? Can it be 3/4" ply treated or polyurethane? If I understand it right, inflate the boat, flip it upside down and make a template of the floor. Then cut about 1 1/2" inside the line. Use foam pipe tubing around the edge. Does the floor go in when the boat is partially inflated? Is there anything else I am to do? I am pretty handy as my dad had no sons so I was elected. Will we be able to stand up? Was considering getting a small trolling motor for it and making a mount coming up from the floor. That is if we aren't pushing the weight capacity too close. It will be used on the lake and a slow river. I know it won't be the greatest but we will both love being away from the shoreline. Some really nice coves to fish in. I appreciate any help.
Your proposed floor method will work just fine. There's no reason to make it in sections unless your vehicle can't accomodate it in one piece, but if it can't, you can just build your floor, then cut it as desired and install hinges so it will fold. As you suspect, the floor does go in with the boat partially inflated. You didn't ask, but I've found the best inflation method to be as follows. Inflate it to 90% with a cheapie 12v pump (Coleman, etc.) then top it off with a manual pump. For your trolling motor look for a simple transom mount Minn Kota in the 40# thrust range. You can probably find one on Craigslist, but if you need one pretty quick they're available at Wal-Mart, Academy, etc. and are not prohibitively expensive. Sounds like you'd have no trouble rigging a motor mount, but before you do, figure up the cost and compare it to a ready made one from Sevylor. I suspect there will be little difference and it will likely be easier to install and use than a homemade one. With a hard floor you'll have enough stability to stand, and you'll find that you can easily sit up on the tubes if you want to stretch your legs, change your vantage point, etc. One more thing; if you haven't already acquired the Fish Hunter compare the cost of it and everything you want to do to the cost of a 14' john boat. Not sure about your neck of the woods, but around here a 14 jon and trailer can be had in the $300-$400 range, which is close to what you'll be out on the Fish Hunter by the time it's all said and done. You'd have no trouble handling a boat that size on a trailer. If you already have the raft never mind. Good luck and let us know how you come out on it.