Floor Boards

I am to the point on my restore where I need to redo my floor boards. I have decided to use Cedar at a thickness of about 5/8" and a width of 3 1/2". My question is this, is it best to attach the floor boards directly to the ribs? Or should I build a frame that allows me to use fewer "anchor points" on the ribs? My concern is that I would like to pull the floor boards out every year so that I can clean and re-oil the floor itself. If I am constantly removing each of the screws eventually they will not hold. Anyway, thanks in advance for the feedback.

JDR

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Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on March 16, 2009 at 10:51am
It is easy to put the floor boards in with a stringer on each end and perhaps one in the middle so they will all come out as one unit. Some even use these boards as a table at camp.

The long boards will need to be screwed to the bottom frames in the center so they take on the curved shape of the boat. If you do that in the center only it will be easy to remove the screws and then the floor boards as one unit for easy cleaning.
Permalink Reply by Jesse Ronnow on March 16, 2009 at 11:23am
Thank you. Using the floorboards as a table in camp sounds great.
Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on March 16, 2009 at 6:38pm
Hey Randy, can you tell which floorboard is the replacement on the picture I just posted of the "aft table"?? Thanks again for the wood... it's a pretty good match, don't you think??
GH
Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on March 16, 2009 at 11:00am
It's nice to be able to easily remove the floorboards for both cleaning and any repair that may be needed. My personal preference relates to two different techniques. For slatted floors I will affix barrell bolts to each side of a set of frames, lay them in and then lock them into place. See pixs for example. They can be easily removed at will. Alternatively, I will craft a solid floor. I design a template and then cut 3/8" fir plywood (exterior grade) so the floorboard fits around each side frame and then settles to the top of the bottom frame. It annoys me to drop a fly or other tackle between the slats and then try to fish them off the floor from between the slats. I will craft three pieces - one just aft of the rower's seat, one amidships, immediately in frontof the rower's seat, and then one for the guest seat. The solid floor amisdships can also be done in to pieces, especially if you are using something like the Bo's anchor system. I will place a 1-1/2" bore, sanded smooth in each piece so I can easily lift and remove the piece if I need to bail (yes, I have to bail occasionally but am embarrassed only if the water is yellow).
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Permalink Reply by Jesse Ronnow on March 16, 2009 at 11:27am
Roger,

I like the idea of having all the slatted floor boards as one unit. Using them as a table (as mentioned by Randy) is a very appealing. I have a question regarding your pictures. It looks like your supports for the floorboards don't have any notches cut for your anchor piping which leads me to ask, are they sitting above that pipe? And if yes, are the high enough to make the floorboards flat bow to stern? As I look at my boat it looks like it would be easy to just cut those supports large enough to make a flat floor. Anyway, thanks for the pics and the ideas.

JDR
Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on March 16, 2009 at 12:34pm
A single set of floor boards will be hard to remove. The tables I mentioned are two small tables not one big one. You want to avoid being forced to remove your seat to get the floor boards out. It is also difficult to keep a single set of floor boards be flat from stem to transom. You would lose too much space mid ship depending on the amount of rocker in your boat. I'd stay with two sets of floor boards.
Permalink Reply by Jesse Ronnow on March 16, 2009 at 3:47pm
I'm sorry... that's what I meant keeping them flat for each set, forward and aft? I am planning on two sets.

Thanks,

JDR
Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on March 16, 2009 at 5:29pm
For a peak at one builder's use of internal parts for his campsite, go here -
http://riverstouch.com/DimockAndDierker.htm
Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 17, 2009 at 7:57am
I knew I had seen these pictures and spent an hour trying to find them. I thought that they might be helpful. I looked on your site but didn't dig far enough.

Rick Newman
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on March 16, 2009 at 5:59pm
Jesse,

On my one boat, I found it critical to attach the floorboards to the frames, especially on the ends. At times, fly line got stuck under there- and that is a deal breaker.

Upon returning home, those floors were screwed tight on all ends. My floors never come out. The front floor looks to have been shot with a 12 GA- my "good friends" that insist on wearing studs. But, I don't care as long as they keep their feet on the floors.
Permalink Reply by Jesse Ronnow on March 16, 2009 at 9:30pm
Dave,

How do you clean out under the floorboards?
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on March 17, 2009 at 6:01am
Take it to a car wash and spray it good inside and out. This is usually once per year. I use my boats so much, that I really don't take the time to clean it after every trip. I just make sure it is drained, and dry before it goes into the garage. I know I will be getting it dirty in a few days anyways. The only time the floors come out is for a re-oil. And in that case, I just drive out the screws.

If the holes get worn, I fill em and re-drill em.

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