best option for flooring

[escapade]

what is the best option for new flooring, i'm going to use 3/8" marine plywood, but what would be the best to use as an actual floor i've heard people using the paint on epoxy and marine carpet, pros and cons to different types of flooring would be helpful

 

[bscleo]

Re: best option for flooring

well carpet always gets wet no matter what you try to do even if it's that outdoor carpet. i'm putting a new floor in my boat right now and i plan to use Rhino-lining for the floor covering. A buddy of mine did that a couple of years ago on his boat and has been happy ever since, plus the rhino has good traction on it, and you dont get worried when youre spraying the floor down after a fun day of fishing! hope that helps

 

[Chris1956]

Re: best option for flooring

Escapade, You should use 1/2 plywood for the floor. I prefer dry pressure treated, but Marine Plywood is a good choice. Seal all sides of the plywood with poly resin, and use two layers of light duty cloth on the walking surface and three good coats of poly resin. At this point you may install indoor-outdoor carpet, marine flooring vinyl, deck paint etc.

 

[escapade]

Re: best option for flooring

sweet thanks i like the idea of using the rhino lining, just got to find a price on it, but i'm going to put the poly resin on the plywood anyway want this floor to last along time!! even thought nothing last forever

 

[jeeperman]

Re: best option for flooring

Another option to consider is a "slatted" floor.
Installing a full surface floor with plywood and then covering it all with glass, etc. is a heck of a lot of work.

I used standard pressure treated pine deck boards directly on top of the leveled stringers. Held with ss screws.
Makes a good floor, drains extremely well to the transome/stern drain hole/bilge. Is not slippery when wet and has not rotted in 5 years of being rained on.
Makes for easy access below deck via a few screws. Or to replace one little bad spot.
Weighs less than 3/4" or even 1/2" plywood per square foot too.
I oil stained it redwood and it looks great.

If you want to go fancy, you can look into using some of the new composite deck boards now on the market. Pre-colored thru out, will never rot and made with a surface texture for feet.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: best option for flooring

Hah, Jeep already suggested this! Oh well more blabbering about composites then!

One more option here, why not composite decking? You know that plastic wood stuff that comes with a 25-30 year warranty against splinters, splitting, rot, and bugs?

The Good:
It's available in a ton of colors and designs.
It won't shrink, splinter, or rot.
Can be worked with normal wood working tools.
Requires No Paint or Stain.


The Bad:
It costs twice what treated wood costs.
It's also a bit heavier than a piece of treated wood of the same length.

 

[escapade]

Re: best option for flooring

what does the rhino lining weigh? and does anyone have pictures of it installed on their boat?

 

[jddenham]

Re: best option for flooring

Another option to consider is a "slatted" floor.
Installing a full surface floor with plywood and then covering it all with glass, etc. is a heck of a lot of work.

I used standard pressure treated pine deck boards directly on top of the leveled stringers. Held with ss screws.
Makes a good floor, drains extremely well to the transome/stern drain hole/bilge.

Great concept and entirely worthy of discussion !!

The downsides are that it will not meet the Coast Guard criteria for boat manufacturers.

Any new boat must have an encapulated portion of the hull filled with floatation foam to meet code under 21 feet or so.

If you are rebuilding your own boat, you have the right to do it as such. If you are going out to sea, I wouldn't recommend it!

It depends on the level of safety that you are looking for.

Cheers !

 

[jeeperman]

Re: best option for flooring

I would not want the floation foam in the floor anyways as it is better to have it up under the bow or in the upper gunnels, transom, etc.

I think I also read in the CG boat building guide where placement of floation foam should be where it will keep the boat upright. Versus "bottoms up" via all the foam in the floor?.

 

[redfury]

Re: best option for flooring

The problem with Trex ( composite decking material ) is that it flexes quite a bit. I'm using it as the material for the bunks on my trailer ( 2 long, 2 short ). I had a foot hanging out the back on the rearward inner bunks that I was using to step up into the boat until I trimmed them...well, one got trimmed...it broke under my weight ( 200lbs ) where I had the bunk mounted with 2 lag screws countersunk into it.

It is much heavier than any standard board due to it being completely solid. It is really easy to work with, but that said...it does have its downside.

I've got access to a 4x8 sheet of 3/8ths thick Kevlar that I had considered using for my deck, but I have to see what kind of support that thin of a surface will give me with my hull design.

 

[escapade]

Re: best option for flooring

i think i'm going to lay in 5/8 or 3/4 plywood, pressure treated, secured with stainless screws, and rhino lining on top, however what should i used on the bottom of the floor? so it doesn't rot from the underside thru the top? some form of spray rubber?

or will the pressure treated plywood be enough to keep the water from rotting the wood

 

[ebsworj]

Re: best option for flooring

My pressure treated floor rotted out in 5 years (spots) due to not being coated on the underside. Coat it with resin or some kind of epoxy. I'm not an expert but I just paid alot of money to get a real fiberglass floor put down to replace the pressure treated/painted floor. I was told the main problem with the old one was the underside was not coated.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: best option for flooring

I wonder if anyone has installed this stuff in a recreational boat floor?

http://www.bellcomb.com/resources/faqs.asp

$3 to $6 per square foot.

A 8 x 24 pontoon would run about $850 and last indefinately?

 

[jeeperman]

Re: best option for flooring

Hey look at this................
2 lb. per square foot. About 1/2 the weight of wood and much stronger!

Extruded aluminum decking. Can place on up to 24" centered supports.
2 lb. per square foot. About 1/2 the weight of wood and much stronger.
No Splinters, Rot, or Rust
? COOL-Will not Burn your Feet
? Installs Faster than Wood
? Protects Deck Framing
? Fireproof - Value of "0"
? High Strength to Weight
? Safe & Non-Toxic

http://www.lockdry.com/

Plant is in Cullman, Alabama

 

[turpehar]

Re: best option for flooring

Since we are all do-it yourself kinda guys, I thought I would share with you all my experience applying a "Rhino Lining" type material. This isn't the cheap stuff you buy at WalMart, but rather a two part professhional material for one who has to do it themselves. This is out of the forum but read my article with pic's included. I plan on doing this when I replace my decking.

http://www.cjoffroad.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14332&SearchTerms=turpehar

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: best option for flooring

i am also going to be redoing a floor in the near future, i was wondering if anyone had a link to the wood/glass technique?? i know its work but it seems to be the best that cheapos like myself have at a chance of a long lasting floor.

 

[erikh45]

Re: best option for flooring

In reference to the fiberglassing the wood. IMO it is alot easier than you would think. I have built several kayaks out of Okoume plywood and also using the strip built technique. Both of which need to be fiberglassed over. I was surprised how easy it was to lay fiberglass and have it look good. I use the same Resin/Hardner mix to seal the plywood before I stitch it together. I order most of my supplies through West Marine or Pygmyboats.com. Some of the wooden boat forums have great info about laying glass also.

I would like to see picks of a slatted floor like Jeep mentioned. I am re-doing the interior on a 17ft Crestliner and that would be a neat way to go. So if you have pics, let's see em.

Erik

 

[escapade]

Re: best option for flooring

seeing as i don't have a compressor, i'd have them apply it for me, just wanted to see what i should do for the bottom end

 

[dukhnter8]

Re: best option for flooring

What about the pressure treated and aluminum? I have read that the new pressure treatment will corrode aluminum alot faster. I would do the rhino lining and have it done on all sides of the wood. I have done the herculiner in my truck bed and am happy with the results. There is some chipping/scratches but it's been on the truck for over 4 years of hard use.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: best option for flooring

I would like to see picks of a slatted floor like Jeep mentioned. I am re-doing the interior on a 17ft Crestliner and that would be a neat way to go. So if you have pics, let's see em.
Erik

I might still have some old pics on my home computer.
I can't take new pics cause Ivan felled a tree on the boat and so it is at the bottom of the landfill right now.

Looked like an old timey wooden boat era type floor though.