Installing Floor

[Rick K]

I'm getting ready to put a floor in my 14' Starcraft Runabout. Has anyone any experience in using aluminum "c" channel for cross braces for the floor? I'd run these the width of the boat,about 52", into the chinerail, which is about an inch deep, and secure with rivits. Then I'd install the plywood lengthwise to complete the floor.<br /><br />Would a 1x2 channel support the weight of the floor? The channel is 1/8" thick. I can go bigger, if necessary, but the thickness remains at 1/8". Or, I could use rectangular tubing, say 2"x3"<br /><br />I can weld supports down to the ribs, no problem, but if the channel will support the weight, I wouldn't bother.<br /><br />I found a local supplier that has just about any size/shape of aluminum stock, so making something up isn't a problem.<br /><br />Seems to be a better alternative than fabricating wooden stringers/braces, etc.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Rick K

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Installing Floor

Is this an aluminum boat? If it is fiberglass, the stringers, floor, transom, and hull are an integral structure that as a single unit is capable of handling the stresses from the motor and from moving through the water at speed, Any deviation from the proper assembly of this structure can result in a dangerous boat. If it is aluminum, then the relationship between the different structural elements are different. If the boat is aluminum, there isn't a reason why you couldn't do what you propose as long as it mimics the original structure in strength and torsional load bearing ability. In anotherwords, the factory designed it a certain way, and you should try to stay within their design. Good luck...

 

[gewf631]

Re: Installing Floor

Since you talk about riviting/welding to the ribs, I'm guessin' than Starcraft is aluminum.<br /><br />I'd also guess that the bracing you're talking about won't be strong enough - your span is over 4', and it's supporting plywood, gear, and people.<br /><br />Here's a picture of how Starcraft supports their floor in the larger models (this is an 18')<br />

<br /><br />The small straps you see are where each piece of plywood butts-up to the next piece (keeps 'em from flexing separately). Since the floor/hull of the boat was designed to carry a load, this method distributes that weight across the ribs, instead of just at the chime as you proposed.<br /><br />Hope this helps.

 

[Rick K]

Re: Installing Floor

Ed,<br />Yes, the boat is aluminum. Heck, it's a rowboat with a closed bow for that matter. I can't pull the pic off your reply, but here's a link to a pic where I got my idea from. I ran across it during a search on aluminum stringers. I have nowhere near that much space between the rib and the cross-braces on my boat.<br /><br />The boat in this pic is a larger, so I'm assuming more support is needed. Note how the cross braces attach to the chines. <br /><br />I can work with metals pretty well, but don't know if I have the skills to make up the same thing using wood.<br /><br />Opinions?<br />Thanks as always...<br />Rick K<br /><br /> http://www.sarniarv.com/aluminum.html

 

[gewf631]

Re: Installing Floor

Rick,<br /> WOW, if you want to build something that elaborate for a rowboat, go for it!<br /><br /> All kidding aside, as Jason mentioned, as it mimics the original structure in strength and torsional load bearing ability <br /><br /> That's probably why Starcraft uses "S" channel (or whatever you want to call-it) to support the floor, all tied-back to the ribs. If you're leaving the benches in the boat, and you're just putting a floor between them, then I'd think 1 or 2 "c" channels fastened to the sides of the benches would be fine. Your 'span' is just the 24" (or whatever) between benches. Remember also, that plywood is designed to be supported from side-to-side along it's shortest dimension (perpendicular to the long side).<br /><br /> I'll be happy to e-mail you the picture, or you could try this <br /> link <br /><br />Ed

 

[Rick K]

Re: Installing Floor

Thanks Ed. Tried the link, it tells me that the file usage was exceeded. Try my email address: luckystrike39@excite.com<br /><br />Yeah, that is elaborate isn't it! <br /><br />I sometimes get frustrated when trying to put my thoughts onto the screen, and my ideas might seem a bit far-fetched; please forgive me. I've fabricated up some real crazy stuff in the past, and I know if I put my mind to it, I could make a floor that would support much more than I need for this project. Being that this goes into a boat, I have to be 100% safe and certain everything will be ok. <br /><br />Thanks again<br />Rick K