Home made Floor boards

catdogcat · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 1:51 pm Post subject: Home made Floor boards

I didn't like the puddles that would pool up in the cockpit so I made some floorboards to raise it up about an 1.5". The puddles would get especially bad when it would rain. Also I added a "Puddle Sucker" on the bulk head. This should solve the problem completely. Now I can pump out water at 1000 gph.

All your comments\suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Here's the link to the pics.

Helen O · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 2:37 pm Post subject:

Would you tell me more about this "Puddle Sucker" please. Brand name, where bought, approx. price, etc...

catdogcat · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 2:54 pm Post subject:

It's just a 500 gph bilge pump. I forget the brand name. I bought it at Home Depot for about $26.00.

CAVU · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 6:49 pm Post subject:

Catdogcat,
This is great timing, as I was just about to start the same project on CAVU. I couldn't tell for sure, but did you use 7/8" thick plywood for your floor? Looks like from your pictures that with three supports you would have about a 24" unsupported span? I was planning on doing exactly the same general arrangement but was unsure what thickness to use and how many supports I would need to make it feel solid. That vinyl looks nice. Is that the same thing you see in the floor of aluminum skiffs? Any advice would be appreciated.

catdogcat · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 7:03 pm Post subject:

I believe it is 7/8" thick. It feels pretty solid and I weigh about 190. Yes there is some unsupported parts twords the gunnels but it is so close to the flooring that the thickness of the plywood compensates for it. I got the idea for the vinyl from some floorboards I saw for an aluminum riverboat. It looks good and gives lots of traction. You should be able to get it at any upholstry shop. Be sure to get lots of glue. I used 2 cans but would have beed happier to use 4. Be sure to spray both sides the plywood and the vinyl.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 8:21 pm Post subject:

Catdogcat and Ken-

Someone over on the other site reported this same basic project about a year or so ago. They used a single sheet of 3/4" plywood arranged abeam across the hull floor with a 2 x 4 laid flat down fore and aft along the middle floor axis.

Of course, the 4 x 8 foot sheet of plywood is 6" short of fulfilling the 4' 6" fore to aft floor dimension when laid this way, and must be cut down in the other dimension from 8 feet to the beam width and tapered a little for the best fit.

Your vinyl sheet/top flooring is a nice touch. Would like to see/touch/feel it under foot for a real evaluation.

About how much do the two sections weigh each?

Good project and good looking work! Joe.

416rigby · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 8:21 pm Post subject:

Nice job...super looking floor! For those who are considering a project like this and have trouble finding the vinyl, Cabela's Marine catalog has rolls of it. Looks like the same stuff I have on the floor of my "non-CD." It is 73" wide is $16.99 per 3 foot running length.

Rick

CAVU · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 9:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks all for the info. I will do a little experimenting to find the best thickness. It may be that it would be lighter to use 1/2" floor with more supports. I have several scraps I can play with to get the spacing right.

catdogcat · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 2:15 am Post subject:

Each section weighs about 35 pounds. No Problem at all lifting them out to clean or whatever. As for going 1/2" I would say the thicker the better. You may be able to go 1/2" if you use a hardwood ply like maple or birch, maybe marine plywood. I went cheap and got pine economy grade. I did consider tapering the edges but found it was unnecessary once I test fitted them. The thinner the floorboards the less they need to be tapered. I can't wait for the Naked trip so I can see what the factory ones look like. Thanks for all the great comments on this. It's cool to actually contribute something to this site of already way knowledgable people. If anyone makes some of these please post your pics. I would love to see someone elses take on these.

dogon dory · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 2:46 am Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

catdogcat · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 2:55 am Post subject:

Thats heavier than I expected. I would love to see what they look like underneath. Dogon..any chance? By the way in your signature you are using HTML code. Did you get the Admin here to turn it on for you? OR did they just give you the option to "attach files"?

Papillon · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:07 pm Post subject:

Well , I at last got my "Floorboard Project" completed. I just had to say on Judy till she got it done. We used 3/4 Birch Ply, coated one side with raison and the other with a deck paint. Covered with Indoor/Outdoor Carpet and used stainlass staples (Ouch!) costly little buggers. I cut out for the Bilge, but have not cut into the deck...pre testing proved that that would not be required.

Cost of Project:
2 - 4 x 8 x 3/4 Birch $90.00
1 - Carpet Rement (Free) from Friend in the Business
1 - Raison, Paint and Brushes - $15.00
1 - Stainlass Staples - $16.00
10 - Gallons Sweat..(Fl...July)
1 - 750 Belge Pump (Auto Float) - $35.00
--------------------------------------------------------
Total Cost of Project= $156.00

Feel on my bare feet....PRICLESS!!

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject:

WhalerGoFar-

Nice Job!

I'm assuming we're looking aft out the cabin door?

On Edit: I see in your album you have a 1993 angler w/o a rear bulkhead.)

Joe.

Papillon · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:16 pm Post subject:

Joe, you assume somewhat correct...I didn't have a rear bulkhead, so I made one just high enough to keep the floor boards below the top of it and with two bilge pumps it keeps the porta pottie from floating away during our summer rains. Once Judy completes the camper back, rain water will not be such a problem.

Mike

catdogcat · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:08 pm Post subject:

Looks great!! This is the best Mod I have done to date.