Installing a floor

[Flat Broke]

So in a couple of weeks, I'll be ready to lay a floor over the new stringers in my 77 Spectra. This raises the question as to the accepted/best method for installing a floor in a boat.

I'm assuming the floor pannels need to be glassed underneath before installation, but once its time to fasten the floor to the stringers, do you use stainless screws into the stringers, bed the top of the stringer with mat and let it bond, both, or what?

Any insight from the guys like Danny and Shane, Gelcoater, etc. that have done this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

[Gelcoater]

Post 24 in your "got screwed" thread.

[Flat Broke]

Post 24 in your "got screwed" thread.

So you're saying to epoxy the floor to the stringers and hull and call it good? I'm assuming I'd need to rough the bonding sites with 60-80 grit and find an epoxy that is polyester resin compatible.

Chris

[Gelcoater]

So you're saying to epoxy the floor to the stringers and hull and call it good? I'm assuming I'd need to rough the bonding sites with 60-80 grit and find an epoxy that is polyester resin compatible.

ChrisNo, im not saying that.Im a gelcoater not an assy. guy, but i know the use of epoxy is used to bond floors. Now do they use screws also? Dunno.Durring my days @ Eliminator i saw the guys using epoxy to bed the ply to stringers,but the ply was an under floor so to speak,as a fiberglass liner was installed over it.This was done on the bigger cats they were doing.I do not know all the details involved in the subfloor install.
I would assume there were no screws used as i saw alot of weights[empty gelcoat pails filled with hardened gel/resin] placed on the ply. The Shockwave example i shared in your other thread was to get the point across that the epoxy was stronger than the materials it was bonding[the glass and Double layer of ply sandwiched in the laminant.

I would be hesatant to lay the ply on a bed of epoxy and screw it down only because i dont know IF or to what extent the epoxy will shrink or expand as it drys. Some research on your part regarding the epoxy should be done.
I don't have a phone #,but try Composite1 here in so. Cal.Ask for sales rep Don Randsom.In addition to being a super nice guy,he's the only sales guy of any of the glass and composite companies to impress me.During my years @ Lavey,he explained a new resin system to the guys[laminators with limited english skills] when they didn't seem to get it,he suited up and SHOWED them how to do it. The only rep i have ever seen do so.If you want shoot me a pm with a # to reach you at and I can call Lavey tomorrow and get the # from Jeff.

[Yellowboat]

Never leave screws in, they are useful for temp clamps only.

[Flat Broke]

No, im not saying that.Im a gelcoater not an assy. guy, but i know the use of epoxy is used to bond floors. Now do they use screws also? Dunno.Durring my days @ Eliminator i saw the guys using epoxy to bed the ply to stringers,but the ply was an under floor so to speak,as a fiberglass liner was installed over it.This was done on the bigger cats they were doing.I do not know all the details involved in the subfloor install.
I would assume there were no screws used as i saw alot of weights[empty gelcoat pails filled with hardened gel/resin] placed on the ply. The Shockwave example i shared in your other thread was to get the point across that the epoxy was stronger than the materials it was bonding[the glass and Double layer of ply sandwiched in the laminant.

I would be hesatant to lay the ply on a bed of epoxy and screw it down only because i dont know IF or to what extent the epoxy will shrink or expand as it drys. Some research on your part regarding the epoxy should be done.
I don't have a phone #,but try Composite1 here in so. Cal.Ask for sales rep Don Randsom.In addition to being a super nice guy,he's the only sales guy of any of the glass and composite companies to impress me.During my years @ Lavey,he explained a new resin system to the guys[laminators with limited english skills] when they didn't seem to get it,he suited up and SHOWED them how to do it. The only rep i have ever seen do so.If you want shoot me a pm with a # to reach you at and I can call Lavey tomorrow and get the # from Jeff.

Thanks for clarifying. I'm going to go "off network" and get some input from a couple of other guys that used to do this kinda stuff as well. I get the superior traits of epoxy products vs. std polyester resin. I was mainly curious about the use of hardware vs a straight laminated bond. I glue lots of stuff for wood working, but there is the side of me that machines stuff that says, bolted/screwed is good too :)

I'll post up what I end up doing in here and in the other thread. I mainly posted here to use the forum as it was intended; to get standard type information out there and searchable for the next guy that wants to lay a floor or whatever.

Chris

[stickman07]

I for one will be awaiting your expert findings Chris, as we are kinda in the same boat :rotflmao: Couldn't resist that one.. I hope whatever we both end up doing works out well.... :D