Best thing to use for sealing floor sections?

[JosMN]

I'm replacing the floor in my Lund Predator, there was one soft/rotted spot so I figured I would replace all four sections on the main floor since I am puting new marine carpet through out the boat. My question is what to seal the 1/2 marine plywood sections with? I have been reading a lot about epoxy, but is that really needed? From What I hear, it is very expensive in a 2 part form. Are there any good alternatives? I will probably have this boat for another 3-5 years or so. It looked like the floor wasn't sealed at all before carpet was put on, and it looked to be all original. The floor had the soft spot when I got the boat. Apparently the cover had a small hole in it and the water always concentrated to that one spot. Thanks for any help!

[remington 300]

i used spar varnish when i redid my whole floor on my boat, its a good marine grade sealer, i put several coats on the top side and 2 on bottom,its a little spendy but

compared to buying a new boat, not so much, you can get it at most paint stores.

good luck.

mike.

[BoxMN]

If it is truly "marine grade" plywood, I don't think you need to do anything to it. At least that is what I was told by the guys at Hallberg. The stuff I got (3/4", but I am sure same stuff) was smoother than Kojac's melon and didn't need any sanding.

FWIW - I put vinyl in nowadays instead of carpet. Better for me, but I know some still like the feel of carpet. If I was to do carpet, I would put more "drains" in than original, more for air to get under and aide in teh drying, though with carpet, it will stay wet wet a lot longer. Good luck with your project, take pics as you do it!

[Big Tom]

You may want to contact Lund and get a price from them on replacing the floor. My Uncle had a 16 ft. Laker done a few years back for $500. Boate was 10 years old. No issues since.

[JosMN]

I think Lund doesnt have anything below 95 for floor panels, from what I have been told, mine is a 1990. I think I'm saving some coin cutting them myself, the .5 marine is $55 a sheet. Only need one 4x8 for the two outside mains, desided to re-use the section over the gas tank and the one in front of that since they are both solid. Marine ply or not, I think I should still seal it. Marine doesnt have many voids if any, but I think I still want to seal it. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Do you think I should cut a small 45 degree angle on these in the back two outside corners for water drainage? They were very tight getting them out.

[Valv]

Every floor I replaced I coated the plywood with resin (plexiglass resin). Get the cheap one at Walmart, a couple of brushes and cover well the whole sheet, especially the edges, where it can absorb moisture.

Water sealers work good too but they will need re applied every few years and you won't be able to do it since you'll have carpet on it.

[witgey&water]

+1 spar varnish

[Borch]

I did my predator floor two summers ago and used the spar varish. Lots to take apart to get the floor panels out and then back in again. It was about a 2 day project for me.

Good Luck!

[JosMN]

I will use the spar varnish, sounds like a good product. Borch, were the panels pretty tight to get in with the new carpet on? Did you do anything to have better water drainage? Thanks.