ThrottleBack
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2013
- Messages
- 242
I am putting a removable flat floor into my 12' Aluminum Richl boat. I'm going to lay it out first for you, then provide two pictures using some scrap wood from around the house to demonstrate what I'm going for. Please advise me before I buy supplies and move forward.
Planned Materials:
- Untreated 2x4's
- Marine Plywood - I'm unsure on the thickness. My demonstration OSB is 3/4 I think, it's pretty thick and heavy. I would think this is more thick then I need and extra weight that is not required.
- Marine carpet
- Wood Glue
- Deck Screws
The Plan:
I plan to cut the 2 x 4's to the length shown in the pictures. I will lay them down, as shown, from flush against one bench to flush against the next bench, the only gap in the 2x4's being in the middle where the "rib" is. This gap will not matter in the strength of the floor. The 2x4's will not actually be secured to the boat. The length of the boards makes the plywood floor rest just above the existing floor at the sides, all the way around. It also leaves complete clearance under the floor where the water flows to drain to the bilge area.
I will then use cardboard or foam (I have both, this part i'm unsure about how to do) to cut a template for the plywood. I want the plywood to lay perfectly inside the boat so that there is very little gap between the floor and the sides of the boat. There will be a slight gap between the floor and bench in front of it so that the plywood floor can clear the lips of the bench going in. I will be cutting a "half moon" in the front of the floor big enough to get my finger under the floor and lift it up so I can remove it, though I doubt I ever will.
After testing the fit of the plywood I will put all of the 2x4's in place, make any adjustments to get the plywood laying flat on them, and place wood glue on top of each 2x4. I will then put the floor in, put weight on top, and after a few hours I will then drive in deck screws securing the floor to the 2x4's.
The floor will then be covered with the carpet and the floor will be complete.
Hope I explained it properly. The scrap plywood obviously is not cut to fit but I did cut down the scrap 2x4's to the length that I feel they will be.
Planned Materials:
- Untreated 2x4's
- Marine Plywood - I'm unsure on the thickness. My demonstration OSB is 3/4 I think, it's pretty thick and heavy. I would think this is more thick then I need and extra weight that is not required.
- Marine carpet
- Wood Glue
- Deck Screws
The Plan:
I plan to cut the 2 x 4's to the length shown in the pictures. I will lay them down, as shown, from flush against one bench to flush against the next bench, the only gap in the 2x4's being in the middle where the "rib" is. This gap will not matter in the strength of the floor. The 2x4's will not actually be secured to the boat. The length of the boards makes the plywood floor rest just above the existing floor at the sides, all the way around. It also leaves complete clearance under the floor where the water flows to drain to the bilge area.
I will then use cardboard or foam (I have both, this part i'm unsure about how to do) to cut a template for the plywood. I want the plywood to lay perfectly inside the boat so that there is very little gap between the floor and the sides of the boat. There will be a slight gap between the floor and bench in front of it so that the plywood floor can clear the lips of the bench going in. I will be cutting a "half moon" in the front of the floor big enough to get my finger under the floor and lift it up so I can remove it, though I doubt I ever will.
After testing the fit of the plywood I will put all of the 2x4's in place, make any adjustments to get the plywood laying flat on them, and place wood glue on top of each 2x4. I will then put the floor in, put weight on top, and after a few hours I will then drive in deck screws securing the floor to the 2x4's.
The floor will then be covered with the carpet and the floor will be complete.
Hope I explained it properly. The scrap plywood obviously is not cut to fit but I did cut down the scrap 2x4's to the length that I feel they will be.