flooring tips

[kjw03]

I just purchased my first boat that falls out of the "dinghy" catagory and the first project is to replace a small section of the rear deck. It's a 25' Apollo (fiberglass) and the wood is only a 2'x4' section,so that isn't too bad. However, I would like to cut out the carpet in the entire rear section and lay something down that can be easily cleaned/washed (vinyl?) and I have no idea how to apply it, what to use, type of flooring etc... I could use any helpful advice at all.

 

[mutron77]

Re: flooring tips

uh oh, I don't want to scare you kjw, but<br />Rot is usually like an iceburg. What you see at the surface is only ten percent of the beast. The other ninety percent is below the surface. Once you cut out the 2x4 section you may find nothing but mulch underneath. The bad spot in my deck revealed a moldy underworld of rotted stringers and disintegrating beams. There may be nothing left to attach the new wood to. Have you you opened up the deck and taken a look yet? I hope it is not too bad. As for the carpet, in my opinion the best way to keep that clean is to have no carpet at all. Alot of people opt for a non skid deck paint. You can make your own by using one of the high tech urethanes and some glass beads, or there are premade non skid coatings like Interlux Interdeck or Evercoat. <br /><br />H90

 

[kjw03]

Re: flooring tips

The rotted wood is a removable 4x2 section so I don't have to cut it out. It's kind of an access plate for the fuel tank under the carpet. The beams and surrounding floor feel fairly solid and the rest all around is fiberglass. Unfortunately I need to install decking on it because it is not a smooth uniform surface, but sectional. SO is there a special marine glue for vinyl decking?

 

[mutron77]

Re: flooring tips

The beam tops may look and feel solid at the surface.<br />You have to grind off the glue and fiber glass from the tops. Then you will see if they are any good. You can bang a screw driver point on top of them and they seem solid, but right below the surface they are dust and splinters. Make sure you check "inside the stringers" .<br />As for the glue, I'm not really sure, but I would call my local trim supplier who deals in boat carpet and such and they can tell you what to use. It will probably be some sort of rubber trim cement like they use on headliners and Landau tops.<br /><br />H90