[boatster]

Hi guys,first off I wanna say how cool this bb is. I've been all over this place soaking (pun intended) all the info you've put out. I have a question though, I have an older Avon 12' inflatable with wood floor boards. The boards are getting very ratty so to speak. I want to make/replace the three main boards. My question is what wood do I use? Can I use Pine and the Epoxy coat the puppies? Or do I have to use a hardwood like oak and then coat the puppies with epoxy like CPES? What would you recommend. BTW I plan on always disassembling the boat after every days use so its the boat won't be in the water 90% of the time. OF course the boards will probably be wet 99% of the time while I'm in the water (going in the ocean). Thanks in advance for any info/suggestions.Adam

[tgissel]

Adam you might just use pressure treated plywood, it alone will last and not be very expensive. You can also sand it and then varnish it for a good look also. Starboard is another option but pretty expensive it is made of a plastic type polymer and is gas and oil resistant and should outlast the boat. Good Luck. Thad

[boatster]

Thanks for the info Thad.I just stopped by Home Depot and looked at the pressure treated plywood, $36 for a huge 4' x 8'. I can also buy single 2' x 4' for single board replacement @ $16. Now if only I could find the extruded aluminum stringers that join the two boards together. My current boards aren't like that. I wonder where I'd have to go to get that aluminum?Adam

[gxxdman]

Hi - I replaced one of mine with plastic planks used in the building trade 150mm x 10mm ie exactly the same size as original wood ones which are now all broken. I shall replace all the others shortly. It comes in 4 or 5m lengths here and is used by double glazing firms who often have off cuts. I notice that Avon also use plastic now.

It is bendier, but seems almost unbreakable. Make sure you sand and round off ends after cutting.

Good luck - John (Scotland)

[ventura tim]

I used 3/8" cdx plywood and then painted on 2 coats of elastomeric waterproofing. The plastic interconnect channels were ordered from Avon.

[Nos4r2]

The original boards are just hardwood marine ply with varnish-you won't go far wrong replacing them with the same.