Boat Flooring

[Old Army Aviator]

I just removed the old seats and pulled up the ancient carpet on the front of my 2005 SunTracker 32. It used to soak up water like a sponge and stay wet for days. Anyway, it was a bear to pull the carpet as they spared no expense on using adhesive. The floor seems to be solid and in good condition with the exception of the old adhesive which I can't seem to get completely off regardless of what I use (I've nearly burnt out my belt sander). Bottom line is that I want to overlay 1/4 inch plywood and install a new laminate floor. Has anyone tried this? Any tips? Thank you.

 

[HotTommy]

The common advice is to avoid regular plywood as a deck because it does not have the same adhesives as marine plywood and tends to delaminate when wet. And some laminates are water resistant (on the top surface) but not waterproof from the bottom. That may explain why you'd be the first person I've heard of to put laminate flooring on a pontoon boat. .... BTW, I've read that those big rotary floor sanders can speed up the adhesive removal process.

 

[Old Army Aviator]

Thank you! I had not considered renting a sander.

 

[Toyelectroman]

I youbwould want vinyl planks since they are water proof

 

[matt167]

Any "X" rated plywood would be good to go once properly sealed. Marine plywood is simply AAX rated but you could use ABX without any thought to it, or even CDX or BCX if you didn't mind filling in some gaps from knots with water proof putty... Laminate flooring absorbs water as it's not really a wood product. It's like MDF with a fake overlay. Stuff's cheap and holds up awesome in an interior setting, but wouldn't use it on a pontoon deck

 

[Old Army Aviator]

Okay, I'm still working on the sanding/grinding but getting there slowly. Sorry for posting some inaccurate information, I think my age is showing. I said laminate flooring, but what I have to put down is marine grade vinyl. My apologies, and I do appreciate the guidance,

 

[robert graham]

Check out a product called Coosa Board....it's a fiberglass reinforced plastic....been in my boat over 20 years and just like new...indestructible stuff!

 

[Wiread]

If you want a clean deck to start, replace it all. I wouldn't put another layer of plywood on, just another space to hold water, even if small and more weight.

But all the adhesive does not have to come off. Sand it to smooth it, of course anywhere there is looser stuff or carpet still attached, get that off. But that adhesive will stick to adhesive. if it's not really uneven or flaking up, i'd leave it.

 

[ahicks]

Sometimes what you are using as a new covering will determine how well the surface needs to be prepped/leveled. A thin vinyl for instance, will show any imperfections much easier than carpet....

 

[glust]

I wouldn't want to do this right now with lumber prices, but if you have invested this much time and the wood underneath is suspect, replace it. I have the same boat and replaced mine four years ago. Used marine grade plywood from Menard's. $70 a sheet and including the swim platform above, my boat took 10 sheets. I'll never do it again, but it was the right fix. I coated both sides of the plywood in the driveway prior to installation with a good clear protective varnish. Good luck with your project