WestCaper
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 8, 2019
- Messages
- 49
- Location
- Canada
- Vessel Name
- WestCaper
- Vessel Make
- Custom Lobster Boat
Well, since I've been off work for a while I figured I would tackle my floors in the main cabin. The entire length of the floor is a series of hatches for the engine compartment so essentially, it all lifts up. The old floors weren't cut square, were bowed from the heat (engine 2" below hatch). And on top of all that, there was a poorly cut, god awful green specelled carpet that was loosely placed and no secured. Gaining access to the engine meant rolling back the carpet and removing the hatches (no hinges).
So I went for the full meal deal, new plywood, new flooring, hinges and hatch lifts.
Started by beefing up the perimeter of the space so there was more contacts on each edge of the hatches.
I used 3/4 fir plywood for the floors, with 1/4 cork glue down tiles with a bamboo looking cork veneer.
I lined each hatch and floor perimeter with 1/4" x 15/16" sapele to prevent damage to the edges of the cork.
Each hatch got a lifting handle and aluminum 3x2 hinges, minus two hatches which removed entirely.
Cork was a very inexpensive way to go, under $3CAD/sqft.
It will get a flexible industrial floor coating for durability.
I plan to build an aluminum angle bar frame under each hatch for extra rigidity which will double as a frame for future insulation...that 6.5 turbo diesel gets a bit loud with only plywood between me and it.
And finally all the perimeter edges against the walls will get some 1/4"X1/4" half round moulding to tie it all together
So I went for the full meal deal, new plywood, new flooring, hinges and hatch lifts.
Started by beefing up the perimeter of the space so there was more contacts on each edge of the hatches.
I used 3/4 fir plywood for the floors, with 1/4 cork glue down tiles with a bamboo looking cork veneer.
I lined each hatch and floor perimeter with 1/4" x 15/16" sapele to prevent damage to the edges of the cork.
Each hatch got a lifting handle and aluminum 3x2 hinges, minus two hatches which removed entirely.
Cork was a very inexpensive way to go, under $3CAD/sqft.
It will get a flexible industrial floor coating for durability.
I plan to build an aluminum angle bar frame under each hatch for extra rigidity which will double as a frame for future insulation...that 6.5 turbo diesel gets a bit loud with only plywood between me and it.
And finally all the perimeter edges against the walls will get some 1/4"X1/4" half round moulding to tie it all together
