replacing floor in alum Sylvan boat

[mollycat]

I have to replace the floor in a 17 ft. Sylvan (1988?) fishing boat, from the console back. The previous owner just put down 5/8 plywood over the original floor, which is rotting. There is carpeting over the floors. What kind of material could I use for a new floor? (treated lumber, composite decking boards, plywood.) Thank you for your ideas. This site is awesome.

 

[DJ]

Re: replacing floor in alum Sylvan boat

mollycat,<br /><br />Plywood is fine, marine grade if you like.<br /><br />The treated plywood does not accept glue well, so putting carpet over it is tricky.

 

[gewf631]

Re: replacing floor in alum Sylvan boat

djohns19 - I've got to disagree with the treated plywood not holding glue statement.<br /><br />I haven't had any sign of glue failure in 3-months of usage. I did let the plywood dry for a couple months before using it, so that might have something to do with my success.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: replacing floor in alum Sylvan boat

I used 3/4" marine treated plywood when I did my 17' Starcraft..maybe it was beginners luck but can't remember type of glue I used...but it worked<br /><br />How are you riveting to floor? I used Alum. grade on mine..rust factor..Foam factor was my problem at first but trial and elimination got the job done..Good luck and I'm glad mine is done..

 

[DJ]

Re: replacing floor in alum Sylvan boat

Ed,<br /><br />You are correct, if you let it dry that long, glue will stick. I just didn't think he wanted to wait that long. Maybe he does.<br /><br />I have always used #10 stainless steel sheetmetal screws to attach the boards to the floor support ribs. Screws make removal much easier.

 

[gewf631]

Re: replacing floor in alum Sylvan boat

Ditto the SS screws. Starcraft must have stake in a rivet company, because I must'a removed over a hundred of them! Used less than 30 screws (#10 and #12), and that floor ain't goin' nowhere!

 

[jnowicky]

Re: replacing floor in alum Sylvan boat

I have a 95 Sylvan 21 ProSelect with floor problems also. I am the second owner and their "lifetime guarantee" does not apply to me. This winter I will be replacing both the bow section and stern flooring. Any suggestions or problems that you came up against while doing yours. I also have a few leaky rivets on the keel section. When the floor board is out I intend to repein all of the keel rivets. I am very disappointed with the quality of the boat. I expected it to last much longer without replacing these major parts. The boat was never abused. I knew the first owner. I am thinking of not installing carpeting over the floor, but replacing it with vinyl flooring for boats. I see that Starcraft and Lund both have vinyl options. The vinyl should be able to be washed down and not hold water against the flooring like carpet. Any ideas?<br />John

 

[BillP]

Re: replacing floor in alum Sylvan boat

Pressure treated marine ply can be purchased and is ready to use the day you buy it. It is dried at the factory. Greenwood is one brand name but there are several others. <br /><br />HomeDepot type PT plys can be used if you can accept the wood grades and drying time to get the moisture out. Otherwise, most use the same chemicals and glues. <br /><br />Oil based pressure treating is for the most part history so resin and glue not sticking to the wood is also history (many years ago). Lab tests show little or no delamination problems/differences between regular PT ply or regular marine ply. All of this info can be easily found by searching the web.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Re: replacing floor in alum Sylvan boat

Greetings All<br /><br />You folks with the Sylvan (aluminum) boats might ought to check the hull very close. If you remove the deck then chip some of the foam out and check for trapped water between the foam and hull. If there is trapped water then it will corrode away the hull in short order. I am restoring a 85 Sylvan and the above damage is extensive. If I had known the extent of damage before starting I would have sent the can to the can crusher and sold the trailer and motor.<br />From underneath look for small holes that have eaten thru. The foam will keep it from sinking. For a few months. The foam was not waterlogged, it just had the water trapped. It was rainwater, as I found the point of entry. Side window on the cuddy cabin. It is a nice boat but has some very serious construction problems.<br />Fitz

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: replacing floor in alum Sylvan boat

you need a flawless floor for vinyl to work well, bumps cracks and heaves come right thru<br /><br />carpet is a better option, unless you are a first class floor man<br /><br />then again, Jason used a roll on floor system ... evercoat? good way to go for fishermen, I cant see myself plunking a five gallon bucket of chum down on my carpeted floor, and chunkin for blues ... <br /><br />but if all I wanted was a bikini transporter, well, light blue carpet with a dark blue coaming would work REAL nice for me<br /><br />I wonder if the censors will get all upset over bikini, after all it implies skin and booobies and butocks and all<br /><br />they might start biting thier nails down to the elbow!!!<br /><br /> <br /><br />(still mad over canning my chevy trunk, grrrrr)