Boat Floor replacement

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I have one soft spot in my boat floor that I can live with this summer but know that come this winter I will need to replace the floor on my 2000 Crestliner. I'm wondering where the best place to buy marine plywood and carpet is in the Twin Cities. I have also read of a plastic plywood decking product which sounds like a good option but was hoping someone on this forum would have information or experience with it. I'm a little disappointed with Crestliner as I always stored the boat indoors in the winter and without the cover on during the summers under a canopy. I do realize its been 12 years however and all products will need to be maintained. I got one price of $2,200.00 to have it done professionally but for that I will do myself. It is a 21' boat so its a lot of work.

[TruthWalleyes]

It's possible that the wood used in your boat isn't marine. Some manufacturers epoxy coat standard plywood which won't offer the same protection as marine, expecially if not completely coated. Plus, epoxy cracks and will let moisture in.

I redid my boat recently.

Found Menards, Lowes, HDepot, etc to all be competitive on marine plywood...anyother local lumberyard should be as well.

Expect $50 to $60 a sheet.

The plastic decking your talking about is not cheap! I'm not sure if you can get it in plywood either, but i guess i'd be suprised if you cant. My point being though, that marine plywood should last longer than 12 years, and i wouldn't invest in the plastic decking becasue marine will last plenty long.

Here's a thread on my boat remodel.

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...yle#Post2836729

[mnguy152]

I put in reg plywood this year. for the fact I my boat is stored inside year round and fish only when nice out. Very few times it does get wet. I got the carpet and glue from the big c and cost for my boat was about 240 for the carpet and glue. I got a good deal on the shipping had to buy a cothing article to get the shipping for free. but even with the nes shirt for 15 bucks still saved 45 in shipping. and they do not carry any in the store unless it is in the cave.

[TruthWalleyes]

I put a front deck in my boat two years ago...Standard 3/4" plywood. I do fish in all conditions, and boat is covered when not in the water, but it was obvious that after 2 years, sure signs of water damage, and another year from now and that stuff would be junk. Highly recommend marine.

[clKiekhafer]

I have a 2004 L that started out last year (2011) with a small soft spot in the rear starboard side. My plan was to have it replaced during the winter. My the time Fall came to take the boat in to have it fixed the spot had grown in size for me to be concerned about stepping through it. I kept my tackle bag in that spot so no one would step there. I took my boat to a boat repair shop and was quoted much less than what you had been for your boat. They used exterior grade plywood and coated it completely with two coats of fiberglass resin with light sanding between coats. And used silicone in the screw holes before installing the floor. I had all new vinyl flooring installed (originally it was vinyl and I like that). They even used some sort of gray silicone around the removable floor panels to seal them off from having water leak in the crack and seep around and soak in between the vinyl and the floor decking. I'm like many of you that store your boat inside with the cover off when not on the water. I must say that I had a C boat that was 12 years old that never had a problem with the floor. This shop has been doing floor replacement for many many years like this and as never had a problem with them rotting out.

[MinnesotaMike]

Arrow,

I re-did the floor in my boat a couple of years ago. I picked up marine grade plywood at Siwek's in NE Mpls, alot less than $60 a sheet.

I bought Marine grade carpet online with Home Depot. Did the job myself and it turned out great.

Good Luck,

Mike

[EBass]

I went to Siwek's in NE Mpls too. I told them what I was doing and they said don't get marine plywood. Get MDO. Call the lumber company and tell them what you are doing and what do they recommend.

MDO is made as an outdoor product. Marine grade is as well, but its twice as much. I just called Siwek's to make sure I was telling you the correct info and he said MDO 5/8". It's been a few years since I redid my floor/decks and its holding up well. It's sealed though. I do store it inside.

Phone: 612-781-3333 Siwek's in NE Mpls

Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday 8am-4pm

Good luck on whatever you decide.

[fishnowworknever]

Don't buy marine grade plywood, it's a complete waste of money.

Get a good exterior grade plywood (non pressure treated, it needs to be DRY) NOT CSB or any of that cheap dump at home depot.

Get some 1700 biaxial fiberglass (non matted) or 8oz fiberglass cloth

Epoxy resin

acetone (you need to clean everything before, during and after)

Coat both sides of the plywood including the end grains and any cut out holes for seats etc with the epoxy, you'll need at least 2 coats since the wood will suck up the epoxy, you don't want any "dry" spots on the wood when you laydown your fiberglass. Let it setup overnight, it should be just barely tacky before proceeding.

Lay down your fiberglass and wet it out using the epoxy resin and make sure to get all air bubbles out - it should look almost transparent.

You'll need to connect the floor to the hull as well with fiberglass, this is called tabbing.

The floor will now outlast your boat.

Truthwalleyes is right that epoxy is brittle on it's own, but when you add fiberglass it's as strong as steel, 100% waterproof forever (as long as you don't drill holes in the finished product and not seal them)

Make sure to use marine grade 5200 to seal any holes for screws and also make sure to either lay down carpet again or use a high quality paint. Epoxy doesn't like UV rays.

I'm in the middle of a complete tear down and rebuild of my boat...I've done plenty of reading and came up with epoxy resin being the best option (with fiberglass obviously)

[TruthWalleyes]

Jhall, your method will definitely work, and probably has more longevity...Sure sounds like a lot of work though!

Fiberglass and resin aren't quite as strong as steel, but kevlar and resin sure are. And, the way we apply resin to fiberglass or any fabric for that matter, you need to vacuum out the excess resin to actually achieve good strengths. Adding foam between layers of fiberglass will increase your strength also, kind of like an I beam.

Good luck on your rebuild Jhall. Show us some pics.

[fishnowworknever]

I'll start one up here for those that are interested. I'm just beginning the tear down and really hope to get at it this weekend once it cools down a bit.