'78sylvan newfloor needed

[choretime]

Hi guys! looking to you for help again.
here goes. 1978 sylvan alum. fishing boat. bought used. someone threw a sheet of 1/4" ply on over the top of the original floor and i have begun to remove it in hopes of putting a new floor in. old floor underneath is rooted junk.
there is nooooo hope of using for pattern. it appears that old floor was attached to hull with pop rivits.should i use rivits again? or stainless wood screws? there is foam peices underneath. from my searches on iboats i see it is for flotation. does it need to be replaced?
near the plywood seams of the old floor are alum.strips about 3" wide that run the width of the boat. what r they for? holding the sheets together?
I have 3 small kids (8-6-4) was thinking of outdoor carpet. should i glue it, or staple it, or both? or use the spray on liner that has been suggested in other threads? boat stays in the shed when not in use so the MN whether doesn't get to it. i farm fulltime so i dont have tons of time or money to throw at this thing. just want it to last. a quick run to the nearby lake for a few hrs. is all i bought this for. thanks for looking

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: '78sylvan newfloor needed

If the foam is not soaked you can re-use it.

Make a template from sheets of cardboard.

Those strips might be the supports.

Yes you can use aluminum rivets to hold it down.

If you must use carpet glue it down. Carpet retains and holds water It's a fishing boat

Sprayliner is alot of money...... just coat the floor with poly resin on the bottom and you can even coat it with cloth but not needed. I would paint it with a marine paint and toss in a bit (just a little) of non slip additive. That should last you for years.

 

[choretime]

Re: '78sylvan newfloor needed

thanks bob
what do you mean by "cloth" for coating the floor.

are rivets my only option (anything faster or does that comprimise strength)

sorry im not that boat savy

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: '78sylvan newfloor needed

Fiberglass cloth to strengthen the plywood and adds a wearing surface.

You can use screws and they should be stainless and you really still need to coat them with sealant so they do not interact with the aluminum.... I just thought/think the aluminum pop rivets are the fastest.

 

[choretime]

Re: '78sylvan newfloor needed

bob are screws just as good (and faster) or because of the possible reaction are the rivets better?

what about coating the floor in urethane and then using the paint with grit?

because of the poor floor support im going with 5/8" treated plywood. the weight diff is minor, like 10# per whole sheet so considering what i took out the boat will still be alot lighter.

thanks for all of your guidance.

 

[choretime]

Re: '78sylvan newfloor needed

oops! sorry disregard my first question

 

[reelfishin]

Re: '78sylvan newfloor needed

One option would be to just paint both sides of the deck boards with epoxy paint, several good coats, and do the final coat on the top side with some paint with a traction additive, or even sand for that matter.

Your goal is to waterproof the wood as best as possible, plain paint is better than nothing but it's no where's near as durable as epoxy or fiberglass resin and cloth.
It all depends on how long you want it to last and what kind of care you plan to take of it.

Those aluminum strips are where the factory seamed the floor, they put the aluminum strips in to support the edges of the plywood along the seams.
I would put the seams in the same place, and rivet the edges of the ply to those strips as well.
I'd make my patterns, cut all the panels, do a trial fit and mark where the rivets will go, (drill new holes, don't try to reuse the old holes, make sure not to drill through the hull accidently). Then remove the new panels, paint the back sides and edges liberally with epoxy paint or resin, then install the floor, and coat the top sides all at the same time. I like to bridge the gap with glass cloth and resin making the floor one seamless piece when all done.

 

[choretime]

Re: '78sylvan newfloor needed

thanks REEL
that was my guess on those strips as well(just seem kinda flimsy to me)
everything you said sounds like a good plan to me i just dont know if im competent enough to use the glass cloth.:redface: i will try anything once though.\
columbus took a chance and look what happened

thanks for the info your help.

working on it a little at a time will report back when i get the rest of the floor out.

 

[choretime]

Re: '78sylvan newfloor needed

Hi folks!
The floor is out( what a mess). took all the old foam out. one piece that was 4"x6"X8' must have weighed 50lbs!! the last half of the foam was nasty and water logged ( not from leaks from people running the livewell over). I replaced all of the foam insulation with the closed cell stuff and i have cut and test fitted new floor sections. they have been drying with fans on them for the last week so they will be ready to be painted and sealed with an exterior polyeurethane coating top and bottom with a grit on the top. Took some hunting to find rivets that were long enough but got them from fastenel 100 for about 18 bucks.

spring work is getting nearer so i need to get this sucker done and sooooon!
If i figure out how to post pics i will. i will report back when the install is done

 

[choretime]

Re: '78sylvan newfloor needed

hey all i finally got the floor completly done. sealed i and threw a little grit on it. got a nice tan white and green color scheme going. put i new seat mounts and 2 new seats now all thats left is to rewire it when the season ends and maybe a new paint job. thanks to all of you who helped with your knowledge and experience. i am really enjoying my renewed boat thank you all.