Help with choosing a floor

[nearpar]

I purchased a 1985 18' Starcraft HL-180 with an 80hp Johnson. I want make this into a fishing boat to use in the great lakes of ) MIchigan. I am going to restore the interior including replacing the floor. ( I will post a new thread when I start the project ) My question is should I go with a 3/4" treated flooring with carpet or use regular plywood sealed with epoxy ? I plan on using carpet and replacing the back to back seats with pedestals and chairs. any ideas ??

Thank you in advance

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

Welcome to iboats, sounds like a nice boat you've got.

DO NOT use pressure treated lumber at all in an aluminum boat. It can lead to nasty corrosion as the metals/chemicals seep out.

Normal exterior grade sealed with epoxy resin is the way to go. Using fiberglass mat on top as well adds strength, many folks choose that route.

Good luck, and post up some photos when you get a chance.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

I chose 3/4 marine plywood sealed with skid not primer from lowes and topped with skid not coating. I like the floor, not slippery and you can recoat it. Plywood and coating is lasting very well. I do however store my boat indoors, but I do use it on the oregon coast during the summer and I do not have a cover over the back portion of the boat so the floor is exposed to rain, sun, fish blood, and lots of foot traffic.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

If you can afford marine plywood - use it. Waterproof glues and far fewer voids for moisture to sit in and rot the wood away from the inside out.

To make sure everything fits back together properly, it's generally suggested to stick with the same thickness of plywood that's in the boat now. My Islander had 1/2" in it so that's what the new floor is. I'm covering mine with 10oz fiberglass cloth too cause I'm a pretty big fella and I want the floor to be rock solid.

Then I'm just gonna paint it with some yet-to-be-chosen exterior paint/non-skid coating kinda thing.

 

[nearpar]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

I did look at some of the restoration threads and I see they did use 1/2" plywood sealed in epoxy. So you guys think I should also have a layer of cloth on the topside as well ? If I go with marine plywood should I seal this with exoxy ? or is this overkil ?The transom looks good from below as far as I can see to the top, but I wonder if I shound remove the aluminum covering on top and inspect ? what do you think....pictures of my boat to follow soon.

 

[nearpar]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

This is the 1985 Starcraft HL180 18 foot boat I purchased on Craigslist. It has a 1977 Johnson 85 hp that runs, also came with a 1971 Evinrude 6 hp outboard for trolling., A Raymarine fish finder, A Marine radio, EZ loader trailer. I paid $975.00
for it. My plan is to do a complete restroration including a paint job, floor, new seats, rewire electrical system, new dashboard etc...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

Nice boat (that you absolutely STOLE).

Marine ply is a superior product to regular exterior ply (and it should be for 3x the cost). It uses better glue, has fewer voids, and possibly uses better wood and more plys. However, it is not, contrary to popular belief, treated in any way. So you would still need to seal it the same as you would exterior ply. Marine ply sealed with epoxy would make a great deck. Adding glass would make it bulletproof.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

Nice rig, congrats!

What's the capacity on that fuel tank? It's HUGE

Might as well replace the transom while you are at it. The supplies needed are the same to rebuild the deck so I'd do it all at once.

I waited to do my transom and now I need to order more epoxy resin, would've been easier to do all at once last spring.

 

[nearpar]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

The guy told me it was a 20 gallon, but it looks larger. I will have to measure it and see...

 

[North Beach]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

nice boat bud!! I copy what E and PR said on the deck. If you can afford it, go with the Douglas Fir minimum 5 ply marine grade in the same thickness that you're taking out. Two coats of epoxy resin on the bottom and sides, and 10 oz glass mat/epoxy with another coat of epoxy over that and you'll be bullet proof.

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

That's a very nice looking boat. What these people have said is good advice. What I might add is ditch the carpet. Instead go with vinyl like you can find at Cabela's or most other sporting goods stores who handle marine products. Otherwise, go with a non-slip paint of some type.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

That's a very nice looking boat. What these people have said is good advice. What I might add is ditch the carpet. Instead go with vinyl like you can find at Cabela's or most other sporting goods stores who handle marine products. Otherwise, go with a non-slip paint of some type.

Check out mine or Huron Angler's projects for examples of marine vinyl.

 

[rodney63]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

Has anyone ever tried the new linex spray flooring?

 

[Casey G]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

has anyone tried the Kiwi-grip? This is what I was wanting to try out on mine this winter.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

has anyone tried the Kiwi-grip? This is what I was wanting to try out on mine this winter.

yes, a couple people on here have used it and I believe have been quite pleased.

 

[Beezerchris]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

I have a no slip coated floor in my SS, which is great for cleaning up after fishing and, unlike carpet, does not hold the water or get salt stained from swimmers. As a compromise though you might consider adding a rubber backed carpet that is cut to fit the main floor area and snapped into place. You can use it on occasions when you want it there and it comes out easily for drying.

Once you have it cut to fit you can take it into a good carpet shop and they'll run edging onto it for you for very little money and it will look finished.

Overall though nothing beats a durable non-slip coating for good life span and easy care.

I've thought about carpeting the console sides and the back of the open bow seating but I'm still undecided on that.

 

[nearpar]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

Ok Guy's I am back on the Starcraft HL-180 project, had to stop for the winter and lot of rain we have had as of late. Also purchased a 1978 Islander that is basically ready to go, but I need to get that ready for fishing as well. I am still in the Demo mode on the HL-180, just removed most of the hardware including the windshield, hatch, kleets, fuel tank etc...
The original fuel tank was replaced by a huge 30 gallon steel tank and placed up front. This tank is in excellent condition and I will use it again. When I started to remove it I could not believe it.... is was full !!! I had to pump most of it out so I could lift it out of the boat. So here are some pictures of what I have so far. I still have to remove the flooring and the transom. Hopefully I will have that out next week.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

So cool you'll have a pair of great fishing rigs to choose from

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

Nearpar AWESOME score on that boat!! I have a bit of a suggestion for you. Make sure you take note on the height of the engine which hole etc it was mounted in I had a trial and error on that on my restore. Didnt pay enough attention during the demolish. Good luck on the restore I can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Help with choosing a floor

Looks to be a fairly quick fix . Nice big open area