Does my boat need a floor?

[Wrfkaratemonkey]

Probably sounds like a funny question . I rescued a small boat. The plywood floor was all rotten and the foam underneath was soaked and rotten making the boat a solid 50lbs or more heavier than it should be.

The floor appeared to be a half arsed backyard addition, not something it would have had originally. I am inclined to just leave it without a wood floor and get to fishing but I want to make sure it doesn’t need to have it. I can feel some give walking around in it on the lawn and I’m just unsure if it’s ok to use this way.

Itll be ised up and down a calm calm little river here in MO to do some fishing and set bank poles. The picture is how it sits now with the rotten plywood and foam out.

Thanks!!

 

[Grub54891]

Most small boats have flotation foam boxed in under the seats. You should have some if it swamps for any reason. Even my small 12' john has it under the seats. When stepping in the boat on the hard, it will flex. In the water not noticeable.

 

[Wrfkaratemonkey]

The seats are just open underneath. I just fixed them today. It’s just three plans supported by a single metal wall and 2x4 upright.

The foam may have even been spray foam. That’s what it looked like.

 

[Grub54891]

You can box in some foam under the seats, just leave a space for water to run through to the drain. I wouldn't add foam to the floor again, it will get wet and stay that way, as you already found. Now if you want a floor, just do the floor without the foam. And box the seats for flotation.

 

[roscoe]

You can box in some foam under the seats, just leave a space for water to run through to the drain. I wouldn't add foam to the floor again, it will get wet and stay that way, as you already found. Now if you want a floor, just do the floor without the foam. And box the seats for flotation.

Thats a good plan imo.

Looks like the boat is old enough that it may not have had any foam originally.
A large block of foam cut to fit and secured under the seat would be a plus.

 

[Alumarine]

Floors in boats like that are mostly to keep your feet and gear dry.
Or stop your bare feet from burning on hot days!

 

[Wrfkaratemonkey]

I have some outdoor mats I could use for the hot floor if it becomes an issue. I like the idea of boxing the seats and putting foam under them. I think I’ll go that route and leave the rest as it is now.

thanks!

 

[Ned L]

Neat older aluminum boat!
Definitely agree, put some big boxes of foam back under the seats, and nothing in the bottom of the boat (as it was originally built).

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Neat older aluminum boat!
Definitely agree, put some big boxes of foam back under the seats, and nothing in the bottom of the boat (as it was originally built).

I agree she sure is a neat old boat that deserves to be saved. I wouldn't clean her up too much, leave the patina. Those are the scars of time to be proud of.

 

[Wrfkaratemonkey]

I am in the process of boxing foam in under the seats. The floors are being left alone. I had considered new paint but settled on the same thought as you guys, the scars of time all tell a story. And it’ll make lots of new memories for my daughter. She’s 6 and loves to fish with dad.

Soon as the repairs airs on this trolling motor I picked up free are complete we will be ready to roll. Soon it will be filled with bank poles and good times!

 

[BRICH1260]

A floor could help cut down on some the noise transferred into the water while fishing and help keep your gear and feet dry but for that boat, I don't think that I would worry about it.

 

[Lightwin 3]

Sounds like you have a good plan.

Nice find!

I have only found one boat in my life. A double end 15' canoe. No registration, no hull ID. That was before HID's became mandatory.

We kept it just to haul extra gear behind our Grumman Sport Canoe for camping. We registered it as "home built".

 

[ahicks]

Back 100 years or so when I was a kid, fishing boats often had what appeared as a custom built/fit pallet on the floor to walk on. It helps support/spread out your weight, and as mentioned earlier, was kind to your feet on those hot days. Doesn't need to be anything too fancy....

Thanks for the memories.... some of my earliest days on the water spent messing around exploring in a boat just like that.

 

[fishrdan]

Cool old boat, I like it!

I have some outdoor mats I could use for the hot floor if it becomes an issue.

Bottom of the boat should stay cool, since the other side is in the water. Parts not touching water will get hot, baking in the sun.

 

[southkogs]

Bottom of the boat should stay cool, since the other side is in the water.

I wish that was always the case ... even with water on the other side of the metal, a boat bottom in the TN sun can cook an egg. One of our old boats (a little rowboat hull from the 50s) had floor that set into the bottom made of wood. It was slats on a few ribs that opened to the deck below - easy to get out if you wanted to, easy to bail if needed, comfortable on bare feet.

 

[ahicks]

^^^Yes, exactly what I was talking about.

 

[Lightwin 3]

Matts or a subfloor have another purpose-noise abatement. That's important if you're trying to sneak up on fish.