Need advice on sealing floor

[Notchcraft]

I searched "sealing plywood" and the more I read the more I got confused.

Here's what I have, I'm replacing the floor on my 1982 Fisher SV-2. I bought 1/2" Marine grade plywood, cut and fitted it to the aluminum stringers, ready to install.

The idea is to cover it in vinyl and screw it down. I read about coating it with epoxy resin, glassing it, painting it, ect... Do I really need to do that or can I just seal it with Thompson's and call it good? The boat will be stored in the garage when not on the lake.

Also after wrapping the floor in vinyl what would the best screw be for that? I looked at a 2010 Tracker with a vinyl floor and it was screwed down with some regular stainless deck screws, is there a better way?

 

[ClassyGlassy]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

I sealed my floor with Thompson's and I see no problems whatsoever! I don't think it will be a problem since your boat doesn't spend a majority of it's life in the water and is covered!

I did use stainless deck screws though to hold it down as it makes sure they don't rust even from the little bit of water they will be exposed to. I would make sure you seal top/bottom and every edge of the plywood with a couple of coats at minimum of the Thompson's though. I also painted it after it dried for 48 hours and was screwed into the boat. I used a marine rubber backed carpet for the floor to help aid in keeping water off of it.......

Welcome to the forums and good luck!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

Thompson's is basically colored wax. I would think it would ruin your chance at a good adhesive bond with the vinyl. If you don't want to go the epoxy route, just pick up some decent porch and floor paint and give it a couple coats.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

I am extremely glad that I completely sealed my deck in epoxy resin. It's a waterproof deck that can be exposed to the elements now and that's good since it got rained on all weekend at my friend's dock right after I finished the deck.

I also keep the rig in a garage but water will find a way into every part of the boat so best to seal it well. Otherwise the deck will need to be redone within 5-10 years.

Welcome to iboats!

 

[drewpster]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

As you know there are tons of suggestions here on sealing wood. In my opinion sealing it with epoxy and cloth is the best, longest lasting, way to do it. But anything is better than bare wood.
I have had some experience replacing wood that was covered with vinyl on a boat. We recently replaced a deck on the interior of my brother's house boat. It was un-coated wood (treated?) that was rotten and soft. Bare in mind that the boat is 25 years old, but rotten none the less. It seems to me that covering it with vinyl can trap water between the vinyl and the wood causing rot. His boat leaked at time or two in the past and that's all it took.
I agree that garage kept boats fair much better than ones left in the rain. However we both know that deck is going to get wet. Any trapped water that can not dry out will eventually rot the wood. Its anybody's guess how long that will take. Its an extra step...yes....but cheap insurance to coat it with epoxy and cloth before installing it.
It also helps a great deal to take steps to seal anything that penetrates the wood. (screws and such) Sure it may be thirty years down the road, or, it could be a couple of years. Who knows? One thing is certain, you wont want to replace it again.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

but cheap insurance to coat it with epoxy and cloth before installing it.

Unfortunately it isn't cheap. Epoxy is horrendously expensive. After I went through 3 gallons on my deck the consideration to then add cloth went completely out the window. I wasn't going to spend hundreds on epoxy to save $60 worth of plywood. If going the resin and cloth route, which agree IS the best by far....got with poly or you'll go broke.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

That will work too.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

I used a marine rubber backed carpet for the floor to help aid in keeping water off of it.......

even though its marine and rubber backed carpet......... its still carpet, and its letting moisture or condensation sit between the deck and carpet.

no matter what kind it is its not going to keep water off,,,,just help trap it.

 

[ralphl]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

what can you use to seal the wood that will still allow the carpet glue to stick??

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

I wasn't going to spend hundreds on epoxy to save $60 worth of plywood. If going the resin and cloth route, which agree IS the best by far....go with poly or you'll go broke.

dont forget sealing with epoxy/poly and adding matt or cloth also helps structuraly....



i used poly!!!! and i went broke doing it!!!!! but being in a glass boat i didnt have a choice....


personally, in my opinion after going through it on my glass sc, when that time comes for the ss im considering 3/4" ply for extra strength and just painting it.


how was the original factory deck installed on these older tin cans??? simply marine ply and covered in carpet or vinyl right?? if cared for they lasted how long??

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

what can you use to seal the wood that will still allow the carpet glue to stick??

Anything mentioned in this thread, except Thompson's. Even that I can't personally attest to. I just know it has a lot of wax in it.

 

[saxrulez]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

Anything mentioned in this thread, except Thompson's. Even that I can't personally attest to. I just know it has a lot of wax in it.

Dont use carpet! Be a rebel like me, glass it in, paint it, and call it a day(or lifetime!)

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

what can you use to seal the wood that will still allow the carpet glue to stick??

My marine vinyl stuck very well to two coats of epoxy resin. I didn't use any matting since my ply is 3/4" and I didn't want to deal with the hassle. It's solid and has no flex.

 

[Notchcraft]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

Thanks for all of the replies! Now I have a idea on what to do, sorry the epoxy/glass is not in the $cards$. In my situation I think it's overkill.

In 1993 My father and I put in a new marine grade plywood floor in our Starcraft, slapped some carpet on the top and called it good. It's still solid and not rotten "yet" 17 years and counting.

Does anyone have experience with the adhesive not adhering to the wood sealed with Thompson's or deck paint? When the vinyl's on what kind of screws?

 

[geedubcpa]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

My advise is to use the fiberglass resin on 3/4 inch wood - one coat is enough and use exterior grade vs marine grade.

 

[ClassyGlassy]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

I went to home depot and bought some outdoor carpet glue and spread it on about 1/16" thick evenly......the carpet is glued strongly and after a few minutes I wasn't able to pull it up when fixing a problem. I used an outdoor deck screw from Home Depot also.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

I actually like the low cost method for doing the floors in tinnies.

My suggestion.... paint it and drop it in....use non skid added to the paint where needed.....use as few srcews as possible (even no screws) so you can either take the floor out in the off season, or replace it easily when needed.....I wouldn't have even used Marine grade.

Just touch up the paint as needed until you sell the boat or the floor needs replacing.

The floors in these boats are typically so easy to replace that it can be done in less than a day and for under $100.00

I talked a good friend of mine into doing his this way a couple years ago, it was quick and easy, low in cost, plus he loves the finish.

He did the vinyl thing the first time around and the floor got soft, it did take several years, but the vinyl got stained and torn over time and looked a little shabby. He can easily touch up anything now in about 10 minutes and use the left over paint, he can even change the color for the cost of 1/2 a gallon of paint.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

Thanks for all of the replies! Now I have a idea on what to do, sorry the epoxy/glass is not in the $cards$. In my situation I think it's overkill.

In 1993 My father and I put in a new marine grade plywood floor in our Starcraft, slapped some carpet on the top and called it good. It's still solid and not rotten "yet" 17 years and counting.

Does anyone have experience with the adhesive not adhering to the wood sealed with Thompson's or deck paint? When the vinyl's on what kind of screws?

Thompsons really is an oil that does not dry and makes things tough to stick to it. Spar varnish two coats will work fine and adhesives stick to it...... it is the old school method to seal wood.

I used the home depot 6700 adhesive and it worked fine.

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

All the advice is great (as always) and as mentioned prior, say away from Thompsons. I've heard nothing but bad news from people using in boats and for their house deck and fence.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Need advice on sealing floor

As others have said, stay away from Thompsons, I have never seen a test that it wasn't able to fail.