floor

[JAY 22]

so i just bought what i think is a 1973 caravelle runabout. i got it for $150
the motor runs and the hull is in good shape, however the floor was rotted out bad. i took a step in it and almost went through. well i removed the seats and everything else on the floor and started the demo.

long story short im building a new floor now, and im using redwood 2x6's for the joists. (i plan on coating them in resin before bolting and fiberglassing them in place) i ripped them to fit and everythings going good. im wondering if anyone can tell me if its ok to just use some normal 1/2 in. plywood coated in resin for the floor, or if i really do need to buy the marine grade crap. (its pretty expensive so im trying to work around it) also i was reading a couple other threads and a couple people were saying that if the floor is rotted the transome might be too. where would i look and how would i be able to tell if it is? the hull is made of fiberglass, but i dont know much about boats so im not sure if maybe theres wood in the f/g for the transome. thanks for reading

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: floor

First off Welcome to iBoats!

Your JOISTS are called Stringers If you have not already cut the Redwood STOP!!! You can save yourself some money and make your boat stronger by using 3/4 in Exterior Grade Plywood. Laminate two pieces together and then encapsulate them with resin and glass. Make sure to set your stringers in PL Adhesive when you install them and then glass them into the hull. Your deck(sole) can be made out of 1/2" or 5/8" exterior grade ply. Just give it two coats of resin and then use 6 to 9 oz cloth to on top to finish it out and tie it to the hull. There are plenty of example here on iBoats to show you how to do this. This is a good one to start with
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=365820&page=6
To check your transom, drill some 1/4 inch holes on the inside about an inch up from the hull and see if you get dry light brown wood on your bit or dark brown wet wood. if it is wet then you will probably need to replace it as well. Plenty of help for that on here as well.

Good luck.

Remember...Time, Money, motivation and BEER can fix anything

 

[JAY 22]

Re: floor

i've already got the redwood 2x6's cut and in place, oops... i guess il just have to make do with that. my dads helping me and he seems to think it should be fine. but im really wondering about the floor it's self being marine grade or just exterior grade plywood. thanks for the info on the transome i'll check it out when i get home i hope it's ok.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: floor

If you do any reading at all on this site you will find the majority of the people restoring their boats using exterior ply. The manufactureres will tell you the main difference between the two is that Marine ply has no voids in the plys. The resin used to glue the plys together is exactly the same which makes them waterproof. if you add the polyester resin coating and the fiberglass mat to your deck then you have nothing to worry about by using ex. ply. Check it out and I think you will find this is totally the accepted method to replace your sole.

 

[JAY 22]

Re: floor

awesome buddy thanks alot. this site is great

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: floor

Jay.... welcome to iboats!!!

Got some homework for you.......

Say this everyday to yourself ....... "boats have DECKS not floors"

 

[joenapier]

Re: floor

Maybe we are confusing stringers and floor joists. Stringers are agains the inside fo the hull and run legthwise down the boat. They should be encapsulated in fiberglass and need to be checks for rot. You can't really get to them until you have taken out all the floor and foam above them. Joists, as I see it, usually run sideways and support the floor. Is that what you meant? If so, 2x6 redwood may not be a problem, providing your stringers are in good shape.

Everthing gets wet under there so coating everything with resin will keep the water from penetrating the wood. It is not USCG necessary for a small boat rebuild, but foam does a good job of "deadening" the floor and may add some rigidity to the floor. after the floor is put down, cut some 2-3" holes with a hole saw. Measure your volume and pour in a two-part foam. I also recommend glassing over the top floor and running some glass up the sides of the inside of the hull.

Have fun with it. Send some pictures - guys are so visually stimulated, you know!