Ideas for v-hull flooring

[tturk96]

I have a 1963 Starcraft v-hull. It’s aluminum and I’m trying to figure out options for doing a floor. I can’t find marine grade plywood at any of my local stores, and the only place I did find it within 50 miles was $106 per sheet. What other options are there. I also can’t find any marine carpet locally but there is online. Does indoor outdoor carpet work for boat decks? I’m pretty new to this boat build thing. Also, do you guys recommend foam under the deck? What happens if water finds its way to it? Lol. Also, I’ve heard treated plywood will corrode the aluminum, is that true? Thanks

 

[racerone]

I am using a sheet of 1/2" foam ( boat stuff ) at $240 for the sheet.----Along with carbon fiber and WEST SYSTEM epoxy.-----All pricey stuff.----Hopefully the grandson will someday say.-----Grandpa " fixed / built this boat , and it will never rot or break !----Priceless.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have a 1963 Starcraft v-hull. It’s aluminum and I’m trying to figure out options for doing a floor. I can’t find marine grade plywood at any of my local stores, and the only place I did find it within 50 miles was $106 per sheet. What other options are there. I also can’t find any marine carpet locally but there is online. Does indoor outdoor carpet work for boat decks? I’m pretty new to this boat build thing. Also, do you guys recommend foam under the deck? What happens if water finds its way to it? Lol. Also, I’ve heard treated plywood will corrode the aluminum, is that true? Thanks

yes, the chemicals in PT will eat the boat

any 2-part marine grade flotation foam will work. try to keep the water out of the boat and it will last forever.

exterior grade plywood is what I would use, and order the proper marine grade carpeting.

 

[jbcurt00]

Its a small open utility, any ounce of weight you add reduces the amount of gear, fuel, people and scooby snacks you can carry.

Does it have boxes under the bench seats? If so those are filled w flotation foam.

 

[GSPLures]

I did something similar to my little 14ft
aluminum boat but I just built a small casting deck with a hatch. Not sure if this is similar to what you are trying to do. Do you have any pictures of your boat?

 

[tturk96]

I’ve taken the seats out for now. They were just wood benches, no boxes underneath

 

[Scott Danforth]

I’ve taken the seats out for now. They were just wood benches, no boxes underneath

you realize those seats need to go back in for structure. they are required for hull integrity

 

[gm280]

I actually did this to an old 12 foot Feather Craft "V" bottom boat some decades ago. If I were you, I would get some good exterior grade 1/2" plywood and make that your new floor with actual marine grade carpet on it. Amazing how nice that boat would look and the floor properly attached to the sides will make it solid again.

The original seats were there to give the sides support. Since you've removed those seat, regardless what they were made out of, you now lost side support. But a floor will make up for that when installed. Look for exterior grade 1/2" ply wood and nice marine grade carpet and have at it.

I think you will enjoy that setup way better then some cheap indoor/outdoor carpet that will deteriorate in short order. JMHO

Post some pictures of how it all comes out, whatever you decide. We like pictures.

 

[tturk96]

Yeah I know the seats are the support. I took have new plywood I’m putting back in right now. I was just looking into the future what I could do to make it a little more personalized. Right now my Main focus is getting it back on the water to check for leaks and fixing any leaks it may have, and getting the motor dialed back in. The old seats were completely rotted from the last person leaving it out in the open for 6 years.

 

[gm280]

Yeah I know the seats are the support. I took have new plywood I’m putting back in right now. I was just looking into the future what I could do to make it a little more personalized. Right now my Main focus is getting it back on the water to check for leaks and fixing any leaks it may have, and getting the motor dialed back in. The old seats were completely rotted from the last person leaving it out in the open for 6 years.

Oh yes, old boats never die, they just rot away...

 

[tturk96]

I got the new seats in and got all the lighting hooked up and ready for night fishing. Only thing is they have the little aluminum pieces under the seats, and the middle seat had a large aluminum box underneath. I was wondering if anyone knows what those are called or where I could get them. I don’t want to put the big box back in there as it was a pain to get it out, but without it the middle seat has no support. I also redid the bunks on the trailer, the old 2x4s on there weren’t tall enough to get the hull off of the rollers lol. Boat was like a seesaw sitting on the trailer. But we are all good now. Just gotta get the carb rebuilt this week and I’ll be set for this weekend!!