91 chap restoration

[tpirate]

Thinking about redoing the interior of my '91 Chaparral bow rider. I replaced floor about 9 yrs ago and it seems to be solid still. I want to pull out all of the upholstery and carpet. Redoing the floor plan and want to replace all of the wood structural components above floor. Seat boxes, seat bases, etc. Suggestions on best material to use to replace wood?? Also, would like to use foam flooring instead of carpet. Has anyone put the foam over wood floor? Any advice or suggestions appreciated.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Make fiberglass or weld up aluminum seat boxes if you want to keep the back to back seats and get rid of wood.

I would just use wood and seal it myself

regarding the floor, as long as it is encapsulated with fiberglass, you can use EVA foam, carpet, teak, dead smurfs, cork, or any other flooring material.

 

[TripleJGraffis]

Make fiberglass or weld up aluminum seat boxes if you want to keep the back to back seats and get rid of wood.

I would just use wood and seal it myself

regarding the floor, as long as it is encapsulated with fiberglass, you can use EVA foam, carpet, teak, dead smurfs, cork, or any other flooring material.

Dead smurfs!! HAHAHA!!!

Sorry to butt in....How do you make a fiberglass structure without the wood to adhere it to? Is that what you were referencing?

Thinking about redoing the interior of my '91 Chaparral bow rider. I replaced floor about 9 yrs ago and it seems to be solid still. I want to pull out all of the upholstery and carpet. Redoing the floor plan and want to replace all of the wood structural components above floor. Seat boxes, seat bases, etc. Suggestions on best material to use to replace wood?? Also, would like to use foam flooring instead of carpet. Has anyone put the foam over wood floor? Any advice or suggestions appreciated.

Regarding best material.....Do your homework to figure out what is best for you....There's marine grade ply....Coosa board....and if marine grade is too expensive, you could go with ABX...which is about the same as marine but there is something different with the glue from what I hear....But there are also other options.....Good luck!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Dead smurfs!! HAHAHA!!!

Sorry to butt in....How do you make a fiberglass structure without the wood to adhere it to? Is that what you were referencing?

Ancient Chinese secret.

Seriously though my last all fiberglass tub was built around a cut-down sterling storage tub

I have also used thin acrylic sheets to make flat fiberglass sheets

 

[briangcc]

Age is getting to me...was it Ted or AllDodge who scratch built a swim platform out of fiberglass? Used a foam plug to use for layups.

In regards to foam decking...I have SeaDek on my swim platform since 2018. Only have a very small section on the largest panel starting to lift up. Very comfy on the knees and is definitely cooler on any other surface.