Question about installing floor in alum boat

[MartinR]

Hi. Just bought my 1st boat. A 14ft aluminum with a 1958,18 hp motor. It runs great. Anyways I was thinking about puting a floor in it. There are 3 benches, is it possible to take out 1 or 2 of them, or will this weeken the hull too much? Also what kind of support do I need under the floor? Thanks.

 

[Link]

Re: Question about installing floor in alum boat

MartinR:<br />You should post this in project boats. But having said that yes I have seen it done once by a customer who bought a new OB from where I worked once. (he name her "Tin Whaler") which is what he turned the boat into.<br />The only reason I can give the step by step process is because when he picked up the 15HP electric start he brought in pictures..before during and after in a album<br /> <br />He had a 14-15 ft alum boat with about 25 inch gunnels that sloped out leaving a lot of room inside the boat except for the three bench seats that were filled with foam.<br />I should mention he worked in a Alum fabrication shop as a welder. <br />I'm going to leave out all of the minor details of how he ran gas lines wiring etc.<br /><br />But he made 5 braces out of 1 inch wide and two inch high Alum I Beams.<br />3 "U" shaped ones that conformed to his hull under each seat<br />2 that were put in the corners on each side next to the transom<br />Step one:<br />He cut out the front and back of each bench and removed the foam.<br />Step two:<br />He installed the three "U" braces under the seats and secured the hull to them<br />Note: Something he joked about: when he went to install the braces he found that he then had to cut a hole in the center of each bench next to the gunnel because the braces went to the top on the gunnel and the seats were lower inside the boat! As he put it DUH! Didn't see that one comming.<br />Step three:<br />He drilled out the rivets and removed the bench seats<br />Step four: He installed the 2 remaining straight I beams next to the transom<br /><br />He now had a 14-15ft open bow boat that he could configure how he wanted.<br /><br />Step four:<br />He poured foam on both sides and the floor up to the top of the I Beams. <br />Note: On the floor he only poured foam from the first I Beam forward. (first seat from the transom) and now first brace<br />Then he covered the sides with carperted plywood then the floor..but from the first brace back left it emty.. intalled a bilge pump.. and left a place for the water to run into.. he also installed the drain plug from the inside..<br />Neat set up..<br />Bottem line is yes it can be done.. how much do you want to pay for it ?<br />And how much can you do own your own??<br />Link

 

[MartinR]

Re: Question about installing floor in alum boat

Thanks alot for the info. I am going to paint the boat and trailer first and then I'll decide if I am going to take on this project.