Floor replacement

[pksgundogs]

Was there an earlier post about replacing a covered plywood floor with aluminum tread brite or diamond plate ? I have a 19ft sled that lives outside, covered part of the time... has a few soft spots that need attention. Thought I would troll the site to see what other people had done. Thanks

[GWB]

I spoke with the boat reps at the boat show and they told me it was a simple conversion using the existing floor as a template. The only thing that I was not sure about is what kind and thickness of material would need to be used to fill in the gaps under the motor cover and back covers in my boat after removing the 1/2 inch plywood floor.

I think visually and practically it would be worth the expense and effort though.

GWB

[Capt. Hook]

I developed a soft spotin the floor of my carpeted Duckworth. After consulting several people in the business we came to the solution. I bought a 6x6 sheet of polished diamond plate, the lightest they make, and laid it on the area. It works great and looks good. I can still lift it and clean if stuff gets under it. Probably 25-30 pounds extra but a heck of a lot cheaper than replacing the whole floor.

[Kentucky Hog Hunter]

Capt. Hook,

I am in the process of having my Duckworth evaluated in regards to changing the carpeted floor to Diamond Plate as well.

My floor is OK but I want to get rid of the carpet because I tuna fish allot and i want to get a 90 gallon tank installed as well....

I am also going to get 2 air rides and 2 box seats behind them.... Eventually I will also put a partial hard top on as well....

I have a frien who is going to help me with the cost of the project but everything in moderation..... It won't be cheap....

[GasJockey]

I've been in your shoes and did an aluminum floor. Best money I ever spent. I received a lot of help from this board and I'll pass on what I learned.

1) 3/16" Aluminum is more than enough for just about any application. Does not save you much weight in the floor, but don't have to worry about floor flex or reinforcing seams between the boxes.
2) I had my floor sprayed w/ bed liner. I got the 4x12' sheets cheap at a scrap yard, but they weren't diamond sheets. Talked to a lot of different shops and no one would touch the aluminum (hard to get anything to adhere to it) except for one shop. He did an awesome job. Make sure to spray both sides so as not to let it start peeling off. Email me if you want the shops name.
3) When using the old floor as a templet, make sure to add a 1/4" to the sides. (The bevel on the wood floors makes for too wide a gap w/ an aluminum floor)
4) Use self-tapping screws (will have to special order and won't be totally stainless steel, as that metal is to soft to actually be self-tapping)
5) Cut out as much of the foam underspray as you are comfortable with (if it's like mine, it's so waterlogged that it weighs more than the floor). If you are concerned, install new foam in the floor but seal it with some type of water sealant.
6) Pre-drill the floor before you take it in to be sprayed. Makes the project much easier.

My whole project w/ new washdown pump, floor, etc. cost a little over $900. Expensive, YES. But I will say it was worth every dime. Email me if you have any questions or want to see the finished product.

Good luck,
Trent
trent.carter@comcast.net

[Capt. Hook]

KHH, I will probably eventually replace the whole floor with Diamond plate also. Had too many other things to get done this year.

A note regarding air ride seats. When you install them be sure to reinforce the hull below the seats, Duckworth did not do that and in rough water situations it really puts a stress on the hull. Developed a stress crack, but it was easy to fix. Bay City Boatworks fixed it and told me to either get rid of the seats or back off the throttle a bit. I chose to back off the throttle :smash: :smash:

[Kentucky Hog Hunter]

Capt. Hook & Gas Jockey,

Thanks for the input..... I have allot to do to get my boat to where I want it but I have new power on the back of it and it is a good boat....

It is the 22' 8" Pacifc Magnum Model and is pretty sea worthy.....

I just want it accesserized the way it needs to be to accomidiate a more comfortable day out on the water..... Shes pretty good the way she is but I plan on having this boat for a long time and I want to do more in regards to my taste......

I appreciate the input and may call on you guys for ideas if I get into the project and need some 2nd & 3rd opinions.

Regards.....

[Rubber Boot]

I replaced a floor in an old gregor sled last spring but traded it off before i used it much, I used 1/8" material and had no problems with it flexing. It looked awesome. Somebody bought it from stevens for cheap.......they got a heck of a deal. Id look at 1/8" its almost twice as inexpenive as 3/16 :idea:

[Uglygreen]

I did mine and it was easy and turned out great - cheapest material was a place in Salem, call around it was worth the price of the drive. Its also worth it to have them shear it for ya if you have good measurements.... beats a skill saw any day, but a carbon tipped skill saw bladw eorks in a pinch.

Brad

[FROGGY]

I just recently did my 18' Willie. Used 1/8 inch diamond plate. Was able to use that thin of gauge because the beams in my boat are close together. It was very easy to install, just used a jig saw with aluminum cutting blade. Ended up loosing about 20 pounds from the old plywood carpet floor.
I got my DP from a place in Portland. (3) 4x6 sheets for around $550.

[Rubber Boot]

I have a 4x8 sheet and a 4x4 sheet 1/8" id sell for $200. PM ME IF INTERESTED

[pksgundogs]

Thanks for all the posts. One more question... in our neck of the woods, when do we ever have any real down time when we arent using our boats ?

[EULACHON]

The original owner of my NR did the floors (or had them done) and they are awesome. I think he had someone in corneilious (sp) do the floors, laser cut and screwed in like I said awesome.

Paul