Flooring/Decking

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Okielure

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After doing my research on different styles of boat flooring that's available out there, I was curious has anybody ever used bamboo flooring in their boat? I've seen multiple options for composite and marine plywood. IMO for the cost, weight added to the boat, and durability, Bamboo might meet my needs for an 88 Skeeter SD 80. Course, I plan on covering it with a spray-on bedliner.
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

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Re: Flooring/Decking

Why not use plywood? The bedliner is also a bad idea for boats. Plywood is not heavy and it is what is normally used now. The bedliner will do nothing for the deck and if you are looking for durable, waterproof and non slip........ use epoxy with some non slip additive such as sand or ground walnut shells.
 
jigngrub

jigngrub

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Re: Flooring/Decking

Nah, I checked into that stuff when I was undecided what to use. It's a decorative finish and isn't structurally sound with many internal voids.

You need plywood for that Skeeter, and it needs to be installed properly. Tabbed into the hull and fiberglassed over... then you can put your desired finish on it.

Some folks here have used the bedliner in their f'glass boats, I think it looks like a Billy goats butt sewed up with a grape vine.

There's a couple of other options for a paintable finish.

1. Durabak
Non-slip Safety Coating for Your Boat or Ship

2. Cabelas Tuff Coat
Cabela's Tuff Coat Non-Skid Coating : Cabela's

Both are made for marine applications.
 
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Okielure

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Re: Flooring/Decking

Originally, I was leaning towards the plywood and fiberglass, but after the research on other options, I thought about a different route b/c of budgetary reasons. The Durabak product was the bedliner I was going to use. I was thinking about the rough look that Durabak offers, but I sure don't want it to look like a the Billy goat. LOL! I think I should probably go with the smooth finish instead of the rough billy goat finish. Thanks for the thoughts and feedback! :joyous:
 
jigngrub

jigngrub

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Re: Flooring/Decking

The Durabak can look good if done properly, and it needs to be applied to a glassed in deck (plywood covered with fiberglass and tabbed into the sides at the hull).

The thing that most people don't realize is the whatever you put the Durabak over, that's what the Durabak is going to look like. Most of the jobs I've seen is where they put the Durabak over the raw glassed and tabbed finish without any prep work or fairing and you can see where the tabbing is and any imperfections in the glass work.

To make any painted on finish look presentable (gel coat, Durabak, tuff coat, or just plain paint) you have to have a nice smooth under finish before you apply the top finish.
 
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Okielure

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Sep 9, 2013
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Re: Flooring/Decking

Jig, when you speak of tabbing into the sides at the hull, please describe. I'm not a pro, obviously, at this stuff, but do enjoy learning and applying it to my diy projects.
 
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