hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

[sslorraine79]

the more ive been thinking about how to work the carpentry out in my boat the more i wanna put some nice stained hard wood boards across the floor. they wont rot because they're sealed up, and there is space between the boards to dry out.
then just paint the pink foam white to hide it
i cant seem to find anything about it on here. seems to make much more sense on my boat than plywood


that is what the boat looks like minus the paint that i've done




this is what i was shooting for if the picture helps demonstrate? because i have to build up and replace the rear seats as well

 

[rickryder]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

You could use teak but that will be rather expensive....Oak flooring is not good around wet areas..... That's why we don't install hardwood flooring in bathrooms. I'm a home builder by trade

 

[Maclin]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

Hardwood might end up being a little heavy.

I have been wondering about the composite decking type products. They are heavy also, but no potential for rot or shrinkage on most of those.

 

[Maclin]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

You might try checking in over at the restoration topic area.

 

[Chip Chester]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

Composite products may not have the structural span qualities of real wood, and not all of them come in lighter (cooler) colors. Although I've never looked into it, if there's thermal expansion, that would have to be dealt with.

Chip

 

[gozierdt]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

Mahogany would probably be the best bet. The "Philippine Mahogany" variety (depending on where
you get it, usually not a true mahogany), isn't very expensive, and would work well in this application
I believe. Leaving an open framework so the wood can dry out top and bottom is important. I'm thinking
of doing the same thing for my 14 ft Klamath.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

View attachment 152555I made a floor for the mid section of my tinny. Made with off the rack treated slats stained and put together with galvanized wood screws. Here is a picture. I have used it for 3 years and still looks great, all water goes through and then out the back . slip resistant too. The materials didnt cost much either. aprox 20/25 bucks. this type of floor would look great in your boat.If you look at old boat restorations where people have spent BIG bucks you may notice some of the resto flooring doesn't look any better than this design and very similar to the correct original .

 

[64osby]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

rm - nice looking floor.

ss - don't know how much of an area your looking to cover up, but weight could be a concern depending on the capacity of your boat.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

View attachment 152555I made a floor for the mid section of my tinny. Made with off the rack treated slats stained and put together with galvanized wood screws. Here is a picture. I have used it for 3 years and still looks great, all water goes through and then out the back . slip resistant too. The materials didnt cost much either. aprox 20/25 bucks. this type of floor would look great in your boat.If you look at old boat restorations where people have spent BIG bucks you may notice some of the resto flooring doesn't look any better than this design and very similar to the correct original .

That looks great rivermouse. I may have to steal your set up one day Although, I'd probably use stainless steel hardware because I'm around saltwater a lot. Where did you get the slats? Do you know what they're treated with? Thanks.

 

[sslorraine79]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

thats almost exactly how i want to do mine, maybe a little farther spaced apart. 1/8" or so... and im building in that back bench so maybe about 4'x3' space i would need flooring for.

if i stain the boards and poly them up the should be good to go right? add some sand maybe i think it'll look real sharp

 

[Part-time]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

How about cedar... it's light and if they can build a whole boat out of it it would surely do well for a floor I would think.
Come to think of it, I might do that with mine.

 

[rickryder]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

How about cedar... it's light and if they can build a whole boat out of it it would surely do well for a floor I would think.
Come to think of it, I might do that with mine.

+1 That is a great choice ^

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

Cedar will be to soft for a floor, ding and scratch easily. Redwood or mahogany would be a better choice or treated lumber stained as already stated. Remember expansion will happen with any material you use even if sealed. If using treated lumber on a aluminum or steel hull, make sure fasteners and wood are coated as to not cause corrosion to the metal. Good luck

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

cypress wood will last a very long time.

 

[pmillar]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

You could always cut up an old bicycle tire to lay down between the aluminum and wood if you went with treated wood - even if it's finished. A finish could wear through over time and lead to corrosion. Even if the odds are slim, using a barrier of some sort should be pretty simple.

Just a thought...

 

[gozierdt]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

I wouldn't use pressure treated wood in an Aluminum boat. The PT compounds are
very corrosive, especially the new ones. The manufacturers recommend only using
special, heavily galvanized hardware on them, normal hot galvanize isn't resistant
enough.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

+1. Not worth the risk to me either. Better to seal some non-PT wood with SS hardware dipped in 3M 5200 is just about as safe and strong as you can get. I like the idea of using cypress. I live in FL, so I should be able to find a small amount. I only need about 10 sq. ft., or so. Thanks again for the idea and inspiration.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

If you wanted to use composite material you could lighten it by ripping it into thinner pieces. As long as you use enough sleepers underneath to avoid any "bounce" you will be fine.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

I'd use fewer sleepers/stringers (your second picture has way too many) and stronger wood. annd don't sell marine grade plywood short; you can stain and varnish it. But if you put down planks, screwed in with bronze, and painted, you will get at least 40 years out of them before you have to replace them. Can't help if you want something more permanent....

run the deck planks the length of the boat. Put supports on or next to the existing stringers and maybe one in the middle with the bottom cut out for drainage. As if you were laying a pallet in there.

Or go by a warehouse, grab a pallet, and drop it in there, and go fishing.

PS my first boat "of my own' was a wooden sailboat called a turnabout; I was 12. Dad made me unscrew and paint the deck boards every other year, varnish the wooden mast, etc. it had slat floors for a deck.

For our aluminum jon hunting boats we build a small stringer and drop in a piece of plywood. Good for 15 years and counting.

 

[sslorraine79]

Re: hardwood deck boards for the floor in my aluminum lone*star?

i think i'll just get the oak because thats what they have at home depot...any ideas for the rear bench seats?


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=553547
this is the link for my whole project