Elementary Boat Installation Questions

[Bushy99]

So I just got a Xpress 1650 VJ. I would like to add some floors and a back deck. As far as the flooring can I just cut the deck to size, carpet it, and lay it over the ribs? For information purposes, How do people screw down their deck floor?

Secondly I would like to add a back deck that goes from the back bench amnd then covers the battery, gas tank, etc. How do you attach the deck to the bench / back portion of the boat?

I attached a file to help with understanding.

 

[Bushy99]

Re: Elementary Boat Installation Questions

Anyone?

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Elementary Boat Installation Questions

Decking has been coverd here plenty of times. Look through any of the other aluminum boat threads to see how people are doing it. Coat the wood on both sides with either epoxy, or polyester resin and fb cloth if you want it to last. Attaching, some people may just glue it us PL Premium adhesive from Lowes or such, or you can use both glue and screws

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Elementary Boat Installation Questions

Stainless steel screws or rivets. You might want to attach some aluminium tubing to fasten it to. Take a look in the completed project section and see how people made their decking and platforms. http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=407


Keep a close eye on the welds at the seams in the xpress boats.....they are known to crack.

 

[Bushy99]

Re: Elementary Boat Installation Questions

I understand the coating / waterproofing, cutting, etc. My question is what do you screw into? Do you just glue the wood down? I have performed searches and cant seem to find answers. Do you lay strips vertically between ribs and screw to those?