Building a frame for floor

[Educator79]

Hello all,
I have attached a picture of the bottom of my boat. I am trying to formulate a plan for building the frame to hold the floor. As the pic shows, there is one stringer running down the length of the boat. Should I run 2x4s across? IS there a better way thats not extremely expensive? Is there a thread here anywhere that shows how someone else built a floor in their boat? Thanks.

 

[Educator79]

Re: Building a frame for floor

Come on peeps I need a basic layout, I can take it from there. Would running a board from the grroves along the hull to the other side be a normal frame? Is that why these grooves are there? Any help is awesome if any one has done this before...

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Building a frame for floor

Give it some Time, its only sunday. People are probably out using there own boats. In the mean time your in the right area to find layouts for your boat. Do some homework in this section (Boat Restoration and Building). There are more ideas here than you'll need.

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: Building a frame for floor

Hello all,
I have attached a picture of the bottom of my boat. I am trying to formulate a plan for building the frame to hold the floor. As the pic shows, there is one stringer running down the length of the boat. Should I run 2x4s across? IS there a better way thats not extremely expensive? Is there a thread here anywhere that shows how someone else built a floor in their boat? Thanks.

I wish I could help but I don't know much about working on tin boats.

 

[Educator79]

Re: Building a frame for floor

Okay, I'll give it some time then. I'll keep looking. Thanks.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Building a frame for floor

There is a previous thread with nice pictures and all of exactly what your trying to accomplish, it was done up very well using aluminum stock framing and I believe the guy pop riveted the framing to the ribs, It was almost exactly what you have there, I'll try to turn the thread up, maybe the owner thread poster is atill active here, I don't remember who it was.

 

[jspano]

Re: Building a frame for floor

can't you just dup what was orginally there? the newer boats have 2 stringers just to the left and right of center. i would avoid using any wood(no pt wood at all) if poss. for a frame. you might be able to find someone who works with alum and have them bend you some to make 2 more stringers if that's the way you want to go

 

[clockwatcher]

Re: Building a frame for floor

I built one. It helped a lot when fitting the lumber, lining up stringers and frames. All of my surface points are pretty darn close. Check out my thread in the link below.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Building a frame for floor

Put this in the search field check the thread with pics:

1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

 

[jspano]

Re: Building a frame for floor

you usually don't use a frame on alum boats like they do on glass hulls. go thru any alum tread most have good pics. most just sercure the ply to the ribs at the starboard and port sides and then stringers in the deep part of the hull. 1 stringer might make it alittle bouncey, i'ld go with 5/8 atleast poss 3/4. pack it with sheets of extruded poly

 

[Educator79]

Re: Building a frame for floor

ok, so heres what I Was thinking, but maybe now you mean screwing into the ribs ...I'll look into every suggestion. Thanks!

 

[jspano]

Re: Building a frame for floor

no take the ply (quality exterior coated in resin) and cut the length to fit across the hull from side to side. secure the ends to the ribs and the center to the stringer. no frames at all. use stainless steel hardware and do not go thru the bottom
really look at some threads this are basic to alum restores

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Building a frame for floor

If it were me I would use some aluminum C channel to fab a deck frame with a grid pattern anyhting but wood under deck and then lay some descent encased ply down with screws you could prety much lay out the grid pattern with cardboard and fab from there even with the cardboard the final pattern could be used for the ply pattern I woulld'nt think a grid of 1.5 'x 1.5' would be sufficient and then support it to the ribs and stringer with legs that can be measured through the cardboard template to get the correct deck hieght.

 

[Educator79]

Re: Building a frame for floor

So your telling me to just lay the quality wood across from rib to rib,screw it into the stringer and that will be strong enough to support the weight of a person? I never would have thought so. I did a practice build with several 2x4s going from the grooves along the sides all the way across, put plywood on that, and it felt too weak, so I took off the ply, added 1x4 slats on top of the 2x4s and then put the ply back on top and it was pretty stiff. Man, I would love to do it your way though, it would be soooo much easier. Maybe my plywood wasn't thick enough and that made the difference?? I should use 3/4 probably, and maybe treat it with fiberglass or something?

 

[jspano]

Re: Building a frame for floor

So your telling me to just lay the quality wood across from rib to rib,screw it into the stringer and that will be strong enough to support the weight of a person? I never would have thought so. I did a practice build with several 2x4s going from the grooves along the sides all the way across, put plywood on that, and it felt too weak, so I took off the ply, added 1x4 slats on top of the 2x4s and then put the ply back on top and it was pretty stiff. Man, I would love to do it your way though, it would be soooo much easier. Maybe my plywood wasn't thick enough and that made the difference?? I should use 3/4 probably, and maybe treat it with fiberglass or something?

please read some treads from any alum star craft. ezmobe, huron angler, hopeshefloats, jasoutside to name a few

here's a list of restores

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=385090

 

[jcupo6]

Re: Building a frame for floor

So your telling me to just lay the quality wood across from rib to rib,screw it into the stringer and that will be strong enough to support the weight of a person? I never would have thought so. I did a practice build with several 2x4s going from the grooves along the sides all the way across, put plywood on that, and it felt too weak, so I took off the ply, added 1x4 slats on top of the 2x4s and then put the ply back on top and it was pretty stiff. Man, I would love to do it your way though, it would be soooo much easier. Maybe my plywood wasn't thick enough and that made the difference?? I should use 3/4 probably, and maybe treat it with fiberglass or something?

You should be fine without the 1x4s and 2x4s. Many others on here, including me, secured the plywood directly to the ribs, only after loading up our hulls with some type of foam. Some use pool noodles while others use the HD pink stuff.. My rig is a little bigger so it had two aluminum stringers at the deepest point in the hull. I used 1/2 inch marine grade ply and when complete the deck was solid as a rock. I finished the deck by screwing 1/2 inch white marine board to the plywood, looks good and cleans up great.

 

[DJ]

Re: Building a frame for floor

It's hard to tell from the pic. However, most likely, the center rib is the same height as the chine (where side meets bottom).

If that is the case, you do not need a frame. There probably never was one.

5/8" plywood would be sufficient. Attached only on the center rib (keel).

 

[Educator79]

Re: Building a frame for floor

This is awesome news. I have been looking, alot and I have not found any jobs that resemble what I am talking about and what you guys are talking about?? All the aluminum restors I have seen have included aluminum frames being built as a support for the ply...maybe I am just looking in the wrong places. Anyway, I am glad to hear this. So I can load up with pink HD foam, then place the marine grade plywood on top and secure to the ribs and the stringer. Cool. Now, should I seal the plywood with some type of epoxy? What if I can't find marine grade play? Would I have to have it if I put epoxy on it anyway? Thanks alot guys, and sorry if I'm getting on anyones nerves:redface:

 

[jspano]

Re: Building a frame for floor

exterior grade plywood
epoxy resin is best
poly is second best

 

[jcupo6]

Re: Building a frame for floor

This is awesome news. I have been looking, alot and I have not found any jobs that resemble what I am talking about and what you guys are talking about?? All the aluminum restors I have seen have included aluminum frames being built as a support for the ply...maybe I am just looking in the wrong places. Anyway, I am glad to hear this. So I can load up with pink HD foam, then place the marine grade plywood on top and secure to the ribs and the stringer. Cool. Now, should I seal the plywood with some type of epoxy? What if I can't find marine grade play? Would I have to have it if I put epoxy on it anyway? Thanks alot guys, and sorry if I'm getting on anyones nerves:redface:

Don't worry, you're not gettin on anyones nerves! You don't need marine grade plywood, a good exterior grade will work. Just don't use treated cause it reacts with aluminium. I sealed mine with 5-6 coats of spar varnish, but the best way to seal it is polyester or epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth