Floored

Replacing a floor in a "Classic Glass" boat. This is a 1963 15' Elgin I have owned since 1986. In April of 2005 I had to replace the floor and it will now last for another 42 years!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Floors
• Boats
• Fiberglassing
• DoItYourself

[bowmaster24]

Amazing work buddy. Ive got a boat and im needing a few tips on replacing the whole 9 yards on flooring. Do you have any tips and maybe shortcuts to make the job easier?

[DenisesDesire]

@bowmaster24: What kind of boat do you have and what year? Each boat is different in the way they are put together. Let me know that information and I will see if I can steer you in the right direction.

[DenisesDesire]

I work pretty slow and took it slowly for the most part. Posting pictures as I went so those who were guiding me could check my work and make sure I was ready for the next step. Posting pictures saved my butt a couple of times! Basically took me six weeks maybe, the guys guiding can do it in a much shorter time. But it all depends on what you find when the old floor is out and what you have to replace. My guidance came from classic boat sites. What year is your boat and where are you located?

[salfuentes2]

WHAT IS THE WHITE FINISH ON THE FLOOR? NOT SURE WHAT THAT PRODUCT WAS OR HOW U INSTALLED IT....BY THE WAY GREAT VIDEO ...AND THANKS FOR PUTTING IT UP.

[DenisesDesire]

Gelcoat which you put a wax additive in it and it was rolled on with a small roller. Gelcoat requires you put hardner in it, so you have to work fast depending on how hot you mix it.

I do believe I have in my doc.'s how much hardner per quart I used if your interested. The old boats came original with gelcoat. Some people now use paint, but I wanted to stay original as it had held up for 40+ years, you don't mess with what works. Hehe

Thank you for your comment and compliment!

[bubbzontario29]

wow good job just starting my own

[DenisesDesire]

Have fun! The fiberglass itch is upon you! LOL Anyone who would like to know what classic boat groups that may be in your area or would like to ask questions of other who have done this contact me. I can provide several website links and they will help you as they did me. I couldn't have done it without them! Just send me a private message.

[bowmaster24]

@DenisesDesire Im gonna see if youtube will let me send a picture. I dont know much about it. Its at least 17 feet. Tri-hull. Has the name Marquis on the side. Im guessing late 70s model.

[TheCarlin1]

Hey champ im about to do this to a Pride panther....Lets hope it turns out as good as yours did. How long did the project take ?? and where did you do the research??

Thanks again for the tips

[toadabc]

@DenisesDesire Oh how do I need you here in Sacto. What a great job. I have a '60 glasspar, and I need to know what happened between 0:49 where I am, and then 0:50 where it is all gone. I need the part between 1:47 where you have the clean cut, and 1:49 where the plywood is set in. And I need the part between 2:19 where there is no fiberglass, and 2:20 where the fiberglass is in. I would love those contacts. Great job.

[ksmons]

What expoxy did you use to glue the plywood to the stringers?

[tallcanadian]

Nice job on the floor. A lot of hard work but it pays off in the long run.