Well, I'm about to start redoing the floors in my Mariner. So I have a few questions for you guys that have so boldly gone before me.
I will most likely be using 1/2 marine ply. I dont think 5/8 will fit under some of the flanges and other areas built into the boat.
After considering severals ways of doing this, I think I will do this. I will turn the 4X8 plywood sideways and cut to fit in the width of the boat. So, from from to back, I will have 4ft long deck sections. Each of these will then be glassed with 6oz cloth on the bottom and 8 or 10oz cloth on the top and sides. Which type of resin would you guys recommend and why? I have worked with both polyester and epoxy. I prefer epoxy and it is more waterproof. But polyester is half the cost, will slowly allow moisture to escape wood, and is what most boats are made from. Probably purely because of cost, haha
Second question? How should I finish floor? My Mariner originally had carpet, but I DO NOT want carpet in my boat. One dropped squid or catfish liver bait will stink for years... :-O
I could glass all of the plywood pieces into one and paint it. But my past 2 boats had painted floors and they needed constant maintenance and repainting.
I'm thinking about a product called Nautolex, but it appears to no longer be available. I'm sure there is something similar from another manufacturer. But I am concerned about the finish of the edge. About half of the boat has a "step" than installs over the floor edge. But the front half of the boat has the floor edge exposed. I dont want the floor covering to peal up after time.
I have also considered glassing the floor panels into one piece and then gelcoating to make the floor look like the floor in a fiberglass offshore boat. But I am concerned with being able to glass a texture into the floor. And also concerned about working with the gelcoat. I've messed with poly and epoxy resins alot, but never gelcoat. I also dont want to get it all over the place in the boat while working with it.
I am also very concerned about getting my new foam wet while using/washing the boat or while raining. All of my previous boats were glass or aluminum with no floor. What is done to stop the water from going between floor and the side of the boat? Or what is done to keep the foam dry? I know alot of you guys use the sheet foam, but I am not convinced that it will adequately support my 1/2 inch floor.
Any thoughts? Besides that I am overthinking this. haha
I will most likely be using 1/2 marine ply. I dont think 5/8 will fit under some of the flanges and other areas built into the boat.
After considering severals ways of doing this, I think I will do this. I will turn the 4X8 plywood sideways and cut to fit in the width of the boat. So, from from to back, I will have 4ft long deck sections. Each of these will then be glassed with 6oz cloth on the bottom and 8 or 10oz cloth on the top and sides. Which type of resin would you guys recommend and why? I have worked with both polyester and epoxy. I prefer epoxy and it is more waterproof. But polyester is half the cost, will slowly allow moisture to escape wood, and is what most boats are made from. Probably purely because of cost, haha
Second question? How should I finish floor? My Mariner originally had carpet, but I DO NOT want carpet in my boat. One dropped squid or catfish liver bait will stink for years... :-O
I could glass all of the plywood pieces into one and paint it. But my past 2 boats had painted floors and they needed constant maintenance and repainting.
I'm thinking about a product called Nautolex, but it appears to no longer be available. I'm sure there is something similar from another manufacturer. But I am concerned about the finish of the edge. About half of the boat has a "step" than installs over the floor edge. But the front half of the boat has the floor edge exposed. I dont want the floor covering to peal up after time.
I have also considered glassing the floor panels into one piece and then gelcoating to make the floor look like the floor in a fiberglass offshore boat. But I am concerned with being able to glass a texture into the floor. And also concerned about working with the gelcoat. I've messed with poly and epoxy resins alot, but never gelcoat. I also dont want to get it all over the place in the boat while working with it.
I am also very concerned about getting my new foam wet while using/washing the boat or while raining. All of my previous boats were glass or aluminum with no floor. What is done to stop the water from going between floor and the side of the boat? Or what is done to keep the foam dry? I know alot of you guys use the sheet foam, but I am not convinced that it will adequately support my 1/2 inch floor.
Any thoughts? Besides that I am overthinking this. haha
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