If your boat’s floor is aging or damaged, you may be considering replacing it. The process is not as difficult as you might think, and it can dramatically improve the look and feel of your boat. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to do to replace your boat floor:
Always check the transom first and foremost.
Boat owners who need to replace their boat floors often have to restore the transom as well. Check for signs of rot, as decay in boats typically starts from the bottom up.
You can test the transom’s stability by stepping on it and putting some weight on it. Any sign of flexing is bad and usually means there is decay present.
Build the Cradle.
It is always best to build a dedicated cradle to support the boat’s hull instead of replacing the boat in the trailer to prevent damaging the trailer. This is especially important if you already have an alternative available on hand.
Please remove all items from the boat.
As you are replacing the floor, it is inevitable that anything attached to the previous deck will have to be removed. This includes the consoles and seats. When removing them, you will most likely have to deal with wirings.
Remove the motor as well. Whether it’s an outboard or I/O motor, you will also need to learn how to remove it.
Remove the old flooring carefully.
To avoid damaging the floor, it is important to determine the ideal depth for the circular saw before cutting. In most projects, a depth of ⅝” is ideal.
It is always best to have a guide when installing a new deck so that the former floor’s dimensions can be maintained. The best practice is to leave at least 3 inches of the previous floor up to the boat’s edge.
It is important to take care when removing the old flooring, so as not to damage the side of the boat. The old flooring can be used as a support for the new one.
Inspect other areas for rot.
Once the old flooring has been removed, it is time to assess the condition of the stringers and foam. If the stringers and bulkheads are black, this is often an indication that they are rotten.
Is the foam still in good condition? If so, you’ll likely only need to replace some of the wood. If not, you’ll need to remove it.
The mini tiller is perfect for quickly removing damaged foams. With its design, most foam can be easily scraped out.
Start by measuring and cutting the plywood you will need for your project.
Remove all damaged or decayed parts before beginning to replace the boat floor. Start by laying down the plywood, using sections of the original floor as a guide for how much you need to cut. You can use a tape measure to double-check the measurements before cutting.
Place the cut plywood on the ground.
Apply epoxy to areas of new plywood that will be exposed to water to provide protection.
Once the plywood is dry, use the drill to mark the areas where the screws will go. It is easier to put the screws in if you have already made holes for them.
Cover the floor with a fiberglass mat to protect it from wear and tear.
Place the fiberglass matt on the plywood and seal it in place with resin. Once the replacement mat has dried, you may choose to sand the edges to smoothen them. Otherwise, you can proceed to screw the mat in place. You have completed the replacement once you have completed this.
Reinstall the components you removed.
Once that is complete, you can now replace the parts you took out earlier. If you placed a new carpet, be mindful of wirings and screw holes intended for the seats, etc.
Conclusion
Do you have any experience or feedback to share regarding boat floor repair? We would love to hear about it in the comments section!
If you’re looking for a durable, comfortable, and stylish boat flooring option, you can’t go wrong with SeaDek. This material is specifically designed for marine applications, and it will stand up to salt water, sun, and heavy foot traffic without showing signs of wear. Not to mention, it’s available in a variety of colors and textures to suit your taste.
Of course, we can do all the work for you in the shortest possible time. To find out the cost of all the work, please call at (321) 419-2910.
