Advice on Teaking the Cabin Floor

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:03 pm Post subject:

There was a couple named Tim and Judy who had a CD-22 named the Lynn Marie a few years back that had cork and vinyl strip flooring on the cabin sole and under table and helm section. It looked like teak and holly. Here's a look:

More photos and descriptions HERE.

They've since sold the boat; it was a beautiful CD!

Joe. Teeth

seahooked · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:53 pm Post subject:

Guys,
Thanks for all the good advice and feedback from everyone. I've secured enough 1/4" thick teak from another C-brat to do the job so I think I'll stick to the original plan of building a plywood floor with ribs underneath, however will follow Bob's advice of using 1/2" plywood and epoxy for sealant. The teak get glued on afterwards.

All I need now is some time. Keep you posted.

seahooked · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:27 pm Post subject: Teak Cabin Floor on My CD-25

Well it's been four years since I had the initial idea for this project but I finally completed my three-section teak cabin floor. This removed the curvature of the cabin floor plus raised the center of the aisle about 3". Both are big pluses in my opinion. And then there's the beauty of the teak and holly. Love the final product. Some details:
- built the bases with 5/8" plywood on top of 1/2" fir ribs spaced 12" apart
- ribs were trimmed and shimmed to take up the unevenness of the cabin floor. Getting the three sections perfectly level and stable (over all the floor area) was the most time consuming part of the project (I used the bases without the teak for a couple of years).
- teak is finished 3/16 thick, 1.5" strips. I used basswood instead of holly as the grain was much easier to work with. Basswood strips were 1/8". Both were glued to the bases with a high quality wood adhesive.
- channels were cut in the ribs to allow for any liquids to pass through plus the bottom the the ribs are covered with rubber strips to prevent any squeaking.
- the outside edges of each section were framed in teak with edges beveled.
- used several coats of Dallys Seafin teak oil for the finish.
- all three sections are easily removable. The aft section has a brass inset latch to start the process. This is something I learned over the last couple of years- you can get water in the floor in heavy weather fishing when water is going in the cockpit and bilge and moving past the gas tank.
- the total weight of the three sections is about 25lbs.

This project ended up taking many more hours to complete than anticipated however it give the boat a totally different look and feel as the floor is complemented by all the existing teak trim in the boat. I added three pics in my 'Modification' folder and will try to add them here if I can remember how. [img][/img]

Can't attach the photo. Would appreciate is someone would add the three photos- thanks.

thataway · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:31 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:31 pm Post subject:

seahooked · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:46 pm Post subject:

Thanks Bob!

bshillam · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:51 am Post subject: Great job

One of the highest quality jobs I have seen completed. Really finishes off the floor very nicely. Thumbs Up

Now I am trying to figure out how I can do something similar. You have certainly set the bar high!

thataway · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:18 pm Post subject:

I agree, this is a superb job. It also took a lot of skill, and I suspect a lot of "trial and error", as well as making templates to make all of this fit so beautifully.

Sea Hooked--want to go in the business? Cost for a set of these floorboards? Probably priceless!

thataway · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:21 pm Post subject:

I agree, this is a superb job. It also took a lot of skill, and I suspect a lot of "trial and error", as well as making templates to make all of this fit so beautifully.

Sea Hooked--want to go in the business? Cost for a set of these floorboards? Probably priceless!

seahooked · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:03 am Post subject:

Thanks for the nice compliments guys. It was a lot of trial and error, and total hours. One thing I can do is dimension the sections and add some detailed photos so if someone wanted to take on the same project, they would have a leg up. I had to start with cardboard cutouts.

thataway · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 2:49 pm Post subject:

If you were to show the details and general measurements, i am sure it would help people in the future and be much appreciated.

localboy · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 3:53 pm Post subject:

Chris, that looks fantastic! Very rich. Really "snashes" up the interior. Me likey. Cool

I remember you beginning this when you gave me a tour of your boat in Edmonds.

thataway · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 8:00 pm Post subject:

Just a comment--most "Teak and Holly" cabin soles are veiner plywood, with a very thin veiner. They are subject to items being dropped on the floor, and we have usually epoxied these to preserve the veiner.

The proper way to make a teak and holly sole is to use strips of teak, as done here, and then use a white wood, to make the alternate strips. In the past, those strips were raised up proud of the teak, to keep the sailors from slipping as the boat heeled or rocked from side to side. Magnolia is often used i the plywood. We made one boat floor with hard rock maple from a used bowling alley (fortunately I had an industrial bandsaw, and we were in the boat building business). Marie was totally in charge of the process and did a great job making the maple about 3/32 of an inch above the teak.

You can use any number of lighter woods for the smaller strips.

seahooked · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:04 pm Post subject:

Bob,
You need to write an autobiography, if you haven't already. You have to be one of the most interesting guys on the planet.

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 6:40 am Post subject:

Dr. Bob HAS written one, and it's very long. Just bring up his profile, put his 8000+ posts in a string and read away! Laughing

Or sit with him for a few evenings over a glass of grape juice as some of us have.

Charlie