Replacing a boat floor

[huntin24/7]

The floor on my 20 year old Lund was rotten so I tore it out. I was looking to replace with marine grade plywood but no one anywhere near me has it or will order it. Anyone have any other ideas as far as similar quality plywood that would work or know of reputable places to order marine grade from? Coosa board is too $$$ or I’d go that route.

 

[Addicting]

The floor on my 20 year old Lund was rotten so I tore it out. I was looking to replace with marine grade plywood but no one anywhere near me has it or will order it. Anyone have any other ideas as far as similar quality plywood that would work or know of reputable places to order marine grade from? Coosa board is too $$$ or I’d go that route.

Have you checked with your local marina boat shops? They routinely replace floors.

 

[huntin24/7]

Have you checked with your local marina boat shops? They routinely replace floors.

I checked with the only one within 3 hours of us and they order it from the lumber store they ever need it. Of course, none of them will special order the smaller amount I need. Lol.

 

[Addicting]

No Home Depot or Lowe’s near? You could just order it online.

 

[Gravelyctry]

Looks like it might be available through Amazon

 

[huntin24/7]

Looks like it might be available through Amazon

I saw Amazon has it but not in the size I’d need, at least lengthwise.

 

[huntin24/7]

No Home Depot or Lowe’s near? You could just order it online.

About 400 miles away is the nearest. Leaning toward ordering it. Not sure how much shipping is. Guessing a lot. Probably have to look into it. The perks of living in the middle of nowhere.

 

[smw110136]

I have no idea if this works for a boat, but there are several brands that make a "marine grade" plywood sealer.

We have a permanent goose pit in a corn field with a plywood lid. We have powerwashed it after harvest and then rolled on a marine grade sealant a few times. The lid obviously is out in the elements 365 days a year and also gets center pivot irrigated. It hasn't rotted out and we only apply a new coat every other year.
I know with a boat, you're not going to want to re-seal very often, but depending on product life and how much its exposed to water, it might work well.

 

[Steiny77]

Ran into the same issue when replacing the plywood transom sandwiched between aluminum in back of my old Lund.
I just replaced it with a double layer of treated plywood, screwed and glued everything real good, coated it all sides and edges with good paint and then caulked everything really good.
So far, so good. It's been about ten years.

 

[Gellar]

HDpe plastic?

 

[Gellar]

Ran into the same issue when replacing the plywood transom sandwiched between aluminum in back of my old Lund.
I just replaced it with a double layer of treated plywood, screwed and glued everything real good, coated it all sides and edges with good paint and then caulked everything really good.
So far, so good. It's been about ten years.

I m getting ready to do that on my Crestliner. Debating between a poured epoxy, coosa board, or just going with the plywood that will last long enough.

 

[Moserkr]

When I restored my 1979 starcraft, I used 3/4" regular ply. Sealed it in 3 coats of epoxy, over drilled all holes and filled with epoxy, then drilled again so no wood is ever exposed. It's a 20+ year floor but heavy. Marine ply is not needed.

Another option is a pure aluminum floor. I wish tiny boat nation (TBN)was around before I did my rebuild. Using angled AL as support, that allows a thinner AL sheet for a solid floor foundation. Lightweight and will last a lifetime, the boat becomes an heirloom you can pass down. A bit more expensive and time consuming but no worries after that. Compatible with any flooring you have in mind - vinyl, hydroturf, carpet. My wood floor is covered in hydroturf and I love it. TBN also has some cool hydroturf mods where they carve custom designs into it with a router. Next time I rebuild a boat...

 

[mtmuley]

PT plywood should be available at a lumberyard near you. mtmuley

 

[huntin24/7]

PT plywood should be available at a lumberyard near you. mtmuley

I looked into pressure treated, and it wasn’t recommended for aluminum boats because of chemicals used to treat it can cause oxidation with the aluminum I guess.

 

[mtmuley]

I looked into pressure treated, and it wasn’t recommended for aluminum boats because of chemicals used to treat it can cause oxidation with the aluminum I guess.

Dang. Forgot about that. I'm in building and know not to use aluminum flashing with PT. mtmuley

 

[buckbull]

My buddy replaced his floor with that pvc sheeting you can get from home depot or lowes. Its ok, just a little soft. When i teplaced the transom in my boat i coated it with fiberglass resin i bought from amazon.

 

[WapitiBob]

I used 13 ply Birch from our towns hardwood supplier, 2 coats of epoxy on both sides, then Hydroturf.

 

[huntin24/7]

I used 13 ply Birch from our towns hardwood supplier, 2 coats of epoxy on both sides, then Hydroturf.

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Looks like it turned out nice!

 

[Moserkr]

Yes absolutely no pressure treated wood!! Use all stainless steel hardware with nylon washers or aluminum pop rivets as needed. Keep a good sacrificial anode on the boat or motor.

@WapitiBob nice work on your floor. Exactly what I did. Noticed the additional angled AL for support - thats how its done!

 

[TheBenHoyle]

Back in the summer of 2001 my dad and I built a 10' sailboat with plans from the Wooden Boat. We ordered 1 sheet of 3/4" marine grade plywood that was 8' and 3 or 4 sheets of 1/4" marine grade plywood that were 12' I think. I forget what the cost was, but it shipped from the east coast somewhere. It came on custom-made skid that included 2 pieces of oak that were 4"x 6" by 12'. Still have those oak pieces. Although I think my dad cut part of one up for a different project.

All that too say, you could see if you can ship from a resource connected to Wooden Boat. You might get some goodies thrown in...

Also, I have noticed that Menards has it available for order. If there is a Menards near you.