16ft Mirrocraft Floor Build

Giacomo8690

Seaman
Joined
May 24, 2015
Messages
51
Hello Iboaters! I was hoping I could get some advice on building a wood floor in my16ft Mirrocraft aluminum boat. Pictures can be seen below. The boat has two benches and has never had a floor installed before. I have 1/2 marine grade plywood which I plan supporting with aluminum angle and aluminum square tubing. I plan on attaching the angle to the ribs (port to starboard) using blind end rivets. So I have all the necessary supplies currently including cardboard to measure floor. I have run into a problem where I am not sure how to measure the floor in my boat so it is level however. I just want to make sure I do this right the first time. If you guys have any recommendations I would greatly appreciate them..
 

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xmxaxrxtxyx

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
123
What are you planning on putting up the center of the boat for a floorbrace?
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,924
What's your history with this boat? IMHO it's a bit odd for a boat this size to only have two flimsy seats as shown in your pics. That's very little support for the deep sidewalls of the boat.
 

TruckDrivingFool

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
1,818
What's your history with this boat? IMHO it's a bit odd for a boat this size to only have two flimsy seats as shown in your pics. That's very little support for the deep sidewalls of the boat.

Can barely see where the other two seats mounted



This would make me think about installing some sort of side boxes to give some structural support to the sides once I got the floor in, ya know provided this was my boat.

You'll need to figure out where the waterline(WL) of the hull is at rest, run a string from that point(WL) at the bow to that point(WL) at the center (side to side) of the transom. This will give you a level line to measure out from at each rib.

Not sure how close to level the boat is sitting in that pic but I'll add that if you look at the ice in the hull that may be about the shape of the floor your going to get if you want it to not be overly tippy.
 

fishin98

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 28, 2009
Messages
521
1st of all your starting with a quality made boat. Looking at number of ribs in hull, this boat was built to take a lot of pounding on the water. The 1st thing I would do is take a 2x4 or 2x6 and run it down the center of the hull, then you will determine the height and width of the floor in your hull. You are going to need a center beam running along the center of the hull for support. Here is a example
swse3s.jpg

You should be able to find a aluminum I beam at a metal fabrication shop. Since your hull has no flotation, you should fill the void under the floor with foam panels or pour in foam. Since Mirrocraft is still making boats, you might be able to purchase storage boxes/live well right from the factory. I'll be interested on how this rehab goes.
 

Giacomo8690

Seaman
Joined
May 24, 2015
Messages
51
Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate the help. To answer some of your questions when I purchased the boat only two aluminum benches existed at the bow and stern(pictured). The aluminum benches were supported each by 3 pieces of wood which would connect to the gunwales. The wood was getting old and the benches looked terrible, so I replaced them with two pieces of 3/4" carpeted plywood which you can see now.

Regarding my plan for the floor brace up the center or stringer( not sure if they are different) I had planned to support the aluminum angle that will run port to starboard with aluminum square tubing. (For every piece of aluminum angle, I planned to have a short piece of aluminum square tubing supporting it at the center with support from the hull. )

But now after seeing Fishing98's post I am inclined to consider a center beam running from bow to stern. I just think this would make measuring the floor and supporting the floor much easier.

*Truck Driving Fool - Thank You for the recommendation on side boxes for lateral support. Most of all, I definitely want this boat to be as structurally sound as possible. Maybe I will create a battery box on each side for the two batteries I need to run trolling motor at bow of boat.
 

xmxaxrxtxyx

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
123
Great idea!! Just know, making those support boxes is quite a chore, so have patience!!
Took me an entire day to figure it out, but then, I am not by any means a professional
 

Giacomo8690

Seaman
Joined
May 24, 2015
Messages
51
Haha thanks! Patience has been the story of this restoration. In order to provide support for the gunwales I should actually find a way to rivet the boxes to the gunwales correct?
 

xmxaxrxtxyx

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
123
No Title

Well IMO that would be best, but for my boat, I had the outside painted, so I didn't want any new rivets. So I made boxes like this and they had excellent support!!
But I see you don't have the seat brace attached so I dnt know if you could do it that way?
 

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TruckDrivingFool

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
1,818
Yep riveting is the best method to tie everything together, and who can't use more storage on the boat not to mention it'll be a good place to add some flotation foam
 

Giacomo8690

Seaman
Joined
May 24, 2015
Messages
51
Hello Again Iboaters,

Some updates on my progress. I was able to begin installing the aluminum brackets which will eventually support a plywood floor. Pictures below. Today I will be cutting a piece of 2x4 to run under the brackets down center for additional support.
 

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Giacomo8690

Seaman
Joined
May 24, 2015
Messages
51
No Title

I am also seeking advice regarding rivets I would like to use on the gunwale to support a third bench I plan on installing. The old rivets which supported the 3rd bench were cut (see pictures) but still remain part of the gunwale. I would like to use the new rivets pictured below to replace the old ones. Can anyone advise if this is ok?
 

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Giacomo8690

Seaman
Joined
May 24, 2015
Messages
51
No Title

It appears my first post today regarding progress on boat floor build did not post pictures correctly. Pictures attached here.
 

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