More Time Than Money

[joeltjen10]

Even thou I used marine plywood, should I give consideration to treating the top surface with a waterproof sealer? I'll be carpeting the floor and am concerned with to much water and it's effect on untreated wood. Just thinking out loud.

There are a lot of guys with more experience than me on the forum but on my project I'm using 3/4" Marine Grade ($70 for 4x8) on all floors/carpeted pieces with 2 coats of epoxy resin on both the top and bottom. All of my screws will be dipped in the resin before putting screwing them in.

For the vertical & vinyl covered wood I'm using 1/2" exterior grade plywood ($40 for 4x8) then coating it with 2 coats of an oil based primer.

These were tactics I found based on my research but as most will tell you it's personal preference based on your use of the boat, storage, skillset, and budget. You have to do something you are comfortable with.

 

[Jeff-n-Gail]

Tried again last nite to post pics to no avail. Not giving up yet. I've had my heart set on a 50 hp more modern motor, but I've been offered a 40 hp with maintenance records and installed with new cables etc (1998 Merc) for around 1500.00. My concern is the "git me off the lake now" power difference between the 40 hp and the 50 hp. This project is about a Bloody Mary and the sunset or a little fishing in the evening after work. We have jetski's for the Grandkids for skiing or tubing so this boat is pretty much a labor of love and a way to keep me out of her hair during the winter months. I just am looking for some input on what to expect from the smaller motor as compared to the 50.

 

[jbcurt00]

A lightweight 14ft 6in or less tinny will do just fine w the 40hp. Does the 1998 40hp Merc have tilt/trim?

 

[Woodonglass]

What method are you using to try and post pics?

 

[Jeff-n-Gail]

Jbcurt00, yes it has both tilt and trim and the install with any parts needed are also included. Glad to hear the 40 will be plenty to push my lightweight project around. Thanks for the input.

 

[Jeff-n-Gail]

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[Jeff-n-Gail]

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[Jeff-n-Gail]

: now I get pics but no words

 

[jbcurt00]

Did you seal the ply before putting it down or assembly?

 

[Jeff-n-Gail]

Actually didn't get the bottom sealed.wasn't about to drill all those rivots.I did however,seal around the perrimeters. and caulk the joints. Getting ready to put another coat of spar on exposed deck plywood. The seat boxes are sealed real good and setting aside now waiting to be installed after carpet.

 

[Watermann]

: now I get pics but no words

Some nice looking ply you used and a number of challenging cuts. :thumb:

Was the decking originally installed length ways? What's the plan for flotation foam? Doesn't look like your model has much room for foam,

 

[jbcurt00]

: now I get pics but no words

You typed the descriptions IN the uploafed pix, not in your reply.

If you click them to view the pix, there are descriptions under each pix....

You can upload more then 1 pix per post, and can type the pix descriptions in the reply window, doesnt have to be in the uploaded pix descriptions box.

Thats why I prefer using a 3rd party site to host pix (I use Photobucket) and it allows the pix to be IN my replies rather then attachments/uploads that have to be opened to view large enough to see details.

Using IMG code via Photobucket:

Puts the pix ^^^ in my post, and I can describe it.

Then post a different pix and description:

 

[Jeff-n-Gail]

The floor ribs are 1 inch high so I fit 1" rigid insulation between then, covered it all with sheet poly to stop the squeaking then installed the 1/4" marine plywood. The 1"rigid stops any movement from walking on thin plu and the 1/4" was relatively easy to form to the bottom. I''ll be adding more foam in the box up under the front area.

 

[Jeff-n-Gail]

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[Jeff-n-Gail]

Actually, now that I have mentioned carpet, is there any positive or negative reaction to carpet. I realize when it gets wet, it stays wet for awhile.

 

[jbcurt00]

Most prefer vinyl, like Nautolex, over carpet because carpet stays wet.....

Where will you store the boat when not in use? In a garage, under a carport?

Or in the driveway under a boat cover?

 

[ezmobee]

I put carpet in my Jupiter and vinyl in my SS. I MUCH MUCH MUCH prefer the vinyl. It's super tough, grippy, and easy to clean and take care of. Only complaint would be it hurts your knees if you gotta kneel on it. If you do go carpet, go with a light "dirt" type color like light gray or beige. I had navy in my Jupiter and it always looked dirty. Even after a thorough vacuuming, one step into the boat from the ground and it looked trashed again.

 

[gm280]

After reading through your thread, I was wondering if you thought about installing a level floor before you installed the arched floor. It would have given you a nice stable walking area and even allowed flotation below the floor. You could have installed some aluminum cross ribs/supports and then riveted the floor to that for a straight level flooring. I realize that is water under the bridge now, but was just wondering. I will say your work looks pretty good though. I wish you would have posted on here before doing anything. The fact that the underside of the floor isn't sealed with anything may be an issue you will see again. :noidea:

 

[MILKWEED]

With a floor like that if you drop your beer you know its gonna roll to the middle where you can reach it, looks cool but how would you seal it before installing without it cracking?

 

[Patfromny]

I put carpet in my Jupiter and vinyl in my SS. I MUCH MUCH MUCH prefer the vinyl. It's super tough, grippy, and easy to clean and take care of. Only complaint would be it hurts your knees if you gotta kneel on it. If you do go carpet, go with a light "dirt" type color like light gray or beige. I had navy in my Jupiter and it always looked dirty. Even after a thorough vacuuming, one step into the boat from the ground and it looked trashed again.

good point EZ. The darker the floor the more it shows is true with everything. Even wood floors. Darker looks nicer but you will always be cleaning. I would suspect the darker would also get awful hot in the sun compared to a sand color. My brothers pontoon has the sand color carpet and I'm not a fan. It shows everything. Maybe a color somewhere in between. The only reference I can think of is min wax Early American stain. Somewhere in that color range I bet would be the best. JMHO.