shopping list for flooring project

[boaterntexas]

I'm about to refloor my 17' fiberglass bass boat.. I have already got the plywood, and the carpet, and carpet glue.. what else might i need, <br /><br /> thanks,<br /> Thomas

 

[JasonJ]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

Boater, have you torn into anything yet? I highly recommend whipping out the circular saw/chain saw/angle grinder, or other weapon of choice, and opening that bad boy up. Now is the time to know the status of yout transom and stringers so you know if they need to be replaced as well. The stringers are what supports the floor, they run from the transom to the bow. There are between two and six of them, they are glassed to the hull botom and the transom. The foam is between these stringers.<br /><br />The floor is resting on top of the stringers, sometimes they were nailed or screwed down, but more often there is just a strip os fiberglass mat between the floor and stringer tops. Around the top of the floor, where it meets the sides and transome, there is a strip of fiberglass mat or cloth, and then the entire floor surface is sheathed in fiberglass mat or cloth. This sheathing covers the entire floor surface, and extends up the sides and transom about six inches, covering the strip that also holds the floor to the sides and transom. <br /><br />I have to replace the floor, transom, and stringers, so I ended up having to get 8 gallons of resin and 30 square yards of mat so I can glass everything in. I am not using carpet, due to the water retention possibility. Instead, I found a product that is a non-skid rubberized product that will act to seal the floor and be easy to clean. good luck, and post some pics if possible....

 

[lenny2113]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

Jason,<br />What is the product are you talking about? (non-skid rubberized product). This is what I want to be on my floor. I don't want carpet.<br /><br />Also, can anyone suggest on the technic in putting in a new floor:<br />I am not sure if I should have a large piece of plywood cut to the size and the fitted inplace. Or is it better to work with smaller sections of the new floor?<br /><br />Thank you.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

Lenny, the product I got was Evercoat Rubberized Non-Skid floor covering, I paid $44 for a gallon of the stuff. As far as the floor goes, the boats were usually assembled based on the 4 foot width of the plywood sheets, starting at the transom. You best bet is to pay attention to how they assembled it, as assemble the new floor in a similar manner. Making improvements to the design is a good idea.

 

[lenny2113]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

Jason<br />Thanks for reply.<br />Does this covering get very hot if kept on the open sun?<br /><br />Another thing is: Once I cut using circular saw set to 3/4" (floor plywood is 3/4 thick) I will have maybe 2" of old floor all around the sides of the boat. Should I tear it off also, or leave it and just place sheets of new floor inside the area that was cut out.<br />I have never done this before but sure hope I would be able to tackle this project myself.<br />Thank you,<br />Lenny

 

[lenny2113]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

Maybe it's worth mentioning my boat is a 16 foot Galaxy 1988. So the way I see it is: it would take two 4 foot plywood sheets to replace the whole deck. Is this better then cutting smaller square or rectangular parts?

 

[crab bait]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

LENNY,, you'd want to have the ply layed grain 'athortships' ( cross wise from port to starboard ) .. alot more strenght than if ran lenght wise.. <br /><br />it's no problem... at the 'butt' joints,, glue ( epoxy ) a 4 inch scab piece of ply to/on one piece of the floor ply on the center line of the 4 inch piece..2 in. glued,, 2 in. overhang lip..( total 4 inch piece )<br /><br />you can do this in one long length of the plywood width an knotch out for the stringers.. or in pieces,, so as to have open spaces for the stringers..<br /><br />now when you glue an lay down the next section of floor ,, it lays down on the strngers AND 2 inch lip of the just got done piece.. for roc soild floor..<br /><br />glue & screw everthin' to everthin'..

 

[JasonJ]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

Lenny, some say they left the 2 inch lip and laid the new floor material on top of that lip, but that isn't always an option. Me, I used the trusty 4 inch angle grinder with metal cutoff wheel to cut the lip off, then used a grinding wheel on the angle grinder to grinde the rest off and scuff up the glass six inches up from the original floor line. Good luck.....

 

[lenny2113]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

Thank you guys,<br />If it won't rain this weekend I will start cutting the floor. I will post on the progress of this project. <br />If it's not for this forum and you guys I would most likely pay the marina guys to replace the floor for me as I wouldn't even know where to start. At least now I know where to start: Cutting it is <br />What a learning experience it will be once I start doing it, what a joy it will be putting her in the water after all is fixed.<br />Thnaks again,<br />Lenny

 

[Bondo]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

Lenny,<br />scroll down the forum,+ find Jasonj's posts.....<br />He's been doing a great job all winter on his boat... He's got pictures around here somewhere.... If I were doing another boat, I'd be doing it the same as Jasonj.... Except I'd be using Epoxy, instead of Polyester Resin....<br />Look for Homerr's posts too... He's got a project going just like yours, only much Bigger.... He's also got some Great Photos....<br /><br />Good Luck...

 

[lenny2113]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

I will need luck as my second most important tool in doing this work. First most important will be this forum. <br /><br />My boat is I/O so, I have a floor ending where the bilge area begins. Is there anything I should do for the bilge area?

 

[lenny2113]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

For a 16 foot boat how much of resin will I need if I will be doing the bottom side of the plywood also?<br />Once the new floor is ready to be installed, what did you do:<br />1. Did you precut all the pieces of wood first, try to place it in to make sure it fits and then covered with resin and glass? Or did you apply resin and glass to a full sheet of plywood and then cut it once it cures?<br /><br />2. Do I need to apply resin and glass cloth to the bottom and sides of the wood or just resing is good enough?<br /><br />3.When you place glass cloth on top of plywood, do you resin the plywood first to have cloth stick to it or what?<br /> <br /><br />Sorry, I don't want to be annoying, just want to get all facts straight before I start. <br />Summer is comming and there is only a few weekends left to get it done. <br />Thank you,<br />Lenny

 

[crab bait]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

what kind of resin.. polyester or epoxy.????

 

[lenny2113]

Re: shopping list for flooring project

crab bait,<br />I will use "bondo" polyester resin. It's less expensive and I want to keep the spending amount as low as possible. I will keep this boat for 2 years the most and I think it will last way beyond after I sell it. <br />Any info you could give me is greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks, <br />Lenny