Floor Boards

[Red Horse]

My Cross 38 is in need of new floor boards. The ones in place are 3/8 ths ply with vinyl flooring on them. Some what heavy. Any suggestions on what to replace them with?

[chris in SG]

Disappointing that nobody has suggested anything, because I'm looking for the same advice. I have marine ply boards covered in Lonseal 'teak & holly' and it's incredibly heavy. Totally unsuitable for a cat..

[Muckle Flugga]

I would tend to replace them with material of the equivalent weight. Remember that is likely what the design called for. Not such a good idea to significantly change the ballast characteristics of any boat, and heavy boards are likely part of the original calculation.

[Red Horse]

I have thought about just taking the vinyl off and painting the floor boards.Vinyl is quite heavy. Also thought about making a foam sandwich core, glass on side and 1/8 th veneer on the other. Multis being weight sensitive and all.

[tuskie]

Originally Posted by Muckle Flugga

I would tend to replace them with material of the equivalent weight. Remember that is likely what the design called for. Not such a good idea to significantly change the ballast characteristics of any boat, and heavy boards are likely part of the original calculation.

Sorry MF, you're in the Multihull forum; multihulls don't need ballast to stay upright.
Go the lightweight foam core composite if you can afford the cost. The more weight saved in flooring the more weight can be carried in beer. Ply is cheap and that leaves more money to buy beer. Decisions. Decisions.

[Steamer]

Originally Posted by Red Horse

Some what heavy. Any suggestions on what to replace them with?

Check balsa ply:

BANOVA PLYÂ*- 3AComposites Core Materials

Rgds/Steamer

[chris in SG]

Originally Posted by Steamer

Check balsa ply:

BANOVA PLYÂ*- 3AComposites Core Materials

Rgds/Steamer

Great advice. Many thanks!

[paxfish]

Around us, 3/4" marine plywood is $175 for a 4X8 sheet. I used Carbon core linked below at $225 a sheet.

Using a layer of glass on each side, I was able to rebuild a seat to identical dimensions reducing it's weight from 41 pounds to 11 pounds using this material. It is easily just as strong.

Carbon-Core CarbonFoam Fiber Reinforced Panel | Lightweight Composite Honeycomb Core Materials and Structures

[PortClydeMe]

Originally Posted by Red Horse

My Cross 38 is in need of new floor boards. The ones in place are 3/8 ths ply with vinyl flooring on them. Some what heavy. Any suggestions on what to replace them with?

Why are you concerned about the weight? Whatever weight floor boards your cat came with originally, then just replace with the same weight. It was designed for that weight. Do you frequently find yourself messing around with the floor boards? And if so, why? Are your arms getting tired?

Anyway, I'm not a cat or trimaran person, yet those boats rarely have cool teak and holly floor boards like a classy monohull. If you love your trimaran, put in some HEAVY teak and holly boards and be the envy of all your multihull pals.

[Sand crab]

3/8" ply is really light and not really suited for a floor. Did you mean 3/4". You can save some weight by going 5/8. Or substituting Coosa or other boards. But $$$$

The peel and stick cork tiles are decent, economical, and easy. And light!
http://www.amazon.com/NATURAL-TILES-.../dp/B00FPL2FSE

Weight is always important in a tri.

[sunbear1]

Actually 3/8" is what I had on my Wharram cat and it was just 3 ply. I used a non skid finish in the galley in epoxy but to get it clean one has to use a brush. In the other hull I just had epoxy covered 3/8" on the floor and painted it. There wasn't a problem with slipping when wet. Eventually I added some reinforcing pieces because it was a wee bit too flexible in the longer floorboards between floor supports. 1/2" was much stiffer to step on and did not require reinforcement--although heavier but of no consequence to me.

[Cavalier MK2]

3/8s ply is pretty stock for many floorboards as well as decks.

[UpOnStands]

Originally Posted by paxfish

Around us, 3/4" marine plywood is $175 for a 4X8 sheet. I used Carbon core linked below at $225 a sheet.

Using a layer of glass on each side, I was able to rebuild a seat to identical dimensions reducing it's weight from 41 pounds to 11 pounds using this material. It is easily just as strong.

Carbon-Core CarbonFoam Fiber Reinforced Panel | Lightweight Composite Honeycomb Core Materials and Structures

would love to see any photos you have the process/results

[travellerw]

These guys seem to have a ton of options.. The MarineLam is interesting.

World Panel Products: Marine Plywood & Teak

[ranger58sb]

You might look at Amtico flooring.


-Chris