It used to be easier than this

[Calif. Ted]

Couple months ago I spoke to the owner of H&L Marine Woodworks about cutting new floorboards, they had supplied Catalina and other West Coast builders. They had the patterns, he told me to just bring in the old ones as some minor changes were made at the factory and he could make a new set fully finished and ready to install.
Monday I drove 90 miles to the boat then another 50 to the shop which had a black closed sign, I called. The owner had passed away and the bussiness was closing.
Backup plan was a guy in Arizona who specialized in boat flooring and decking. Closed due to family emergency. Started talking to cabinet makers, none knew of a local source for teak and holly veneer plywood.
Started looking for the ply, couldn't find any that didn't involve $200 for shipping. One cabinetmaker told me of a place he used 30 years ago that had "odd" stuff. So in an industrial moonscape there it was, "House of Plywood". The owners son now has the business, he can order the ply from a local supplier for $250. He only knows this because he just spent 2 months searching for another customer. He said when he called the supplier they didn't know until calling the home office that it was available.
Online prices for the ply are about $240 & $200 in shipping, last time I got a sheet at H&L it was $156. That was probably 10 years ago and my heart almost stopped then.
If you'd have told me 10 years ago that I'd have as many Tour de France trophies as Lance and pay $250 for plywood I'd think you were crazy.

 

[CalebD]

Prices for exotic hard woods have gone up considerably in 10 years. You should have bought more back when ...

 

[Rick D]

Now you know why I went with Lonseal. I am really sorry if H&L has shut down for good. That would be a serious loss. Couldn't find info on Google. I know that a guy down from me with a Grand Banks 42 woody had a heck of a time finding teak-faced plywood lately.

 

[caguy]

Were you able to see if they still had any of their old stock? They had quite a bit of teak grid floor boards for the cockpit I would like to pick up. Especially if they are going out of business.

 

[windward54]

WOW! Shame about H&L. I had them do a couple of special projects for me over the years, and they were always great to work with.

 

[Jackdaw]

H&L ran a clearance on all in-stock tillers about a month ago I think. Like 70% off. They noted that it was a business shut-down sail.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I was told on the phone that they were taking no new orders, not dealing with the public and the business was closing. I think their market shrunk with the demise of boat building out here.
I'm gonna have to research the synthetics more, I thought about using something like Lonseal but can't quite picture how to do it.

 

[Sailvayu]

I am using a product called Amtico. It is a vinyl type flooring as well. It is used by Hatteras and Rampage among other builders. http://www.mannington.com/commercial/amtico.aspx
I found it seems to be holding up well and most are surprised when I tell them it is not real wood. I have had some people get down on their knees to makes sure it is not real.

I am seeing the same thing with plywood prices it is a different world. Shame about H&L

Capt. Wayne Canning, AMS
www.projectboatzen.com

 

[Rick D]

Lonseal

I'm gonna have to research the synthetics more, I thought about using something like Lonseal but can't quite picture how to do it.

Here is a link to my install: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...d=267&cat_id=43&aid=7572&page=article&mn=40.5

 

[Calif. Ted]

Thanks Rick,
The screws were one question, looks like you drilled and countersunk just like wood. Places like the thresholds between the salon and forepeak & galley don't look like a problem either due to material only being 2mm thick. Hate the dot flooring in my galley, yours looks much nicer.
I saw a synthetic floor on a C350some years ago and it seems like an excellent idea. The teak plywood does some astonishing color changes over time.

 

[stephen Penny]

I recently researched and found several companies in the U.S, that sell teak and holly veneer on marine grade plywood, (like I have on my 2004 Hunter 386). I selected the one with the thickest veneer and installed it. It was sealed after installation. It is a great improvement over the original 29-year old boat’s hallway and galley flooring, which was a combination of carpeting (hallway) and teak and holly (galley). I purchased the flooring from World Panel 561-840-0500. The steps are currently being refinished and will be re-installed without carpeting to provide a nice looking transition to the galley and hallway.

 

[Rick D]

Some Comments re: Lonseal Install

The screws were one question, looks like you drilled and countersunk just like wood. Yes, I used the original holes and countersunk. Places like the thresholds between the salon and forepeak & galley don't look like a problem either due to material only being 2mm thick. Not a problem. However, you noticed how I laid the panels on the garage floor? That was so the installer could keep the 'holly' inlay lines running correctly piece to piece. They are slightly wider, so you start with a match from the center out. Hate the dot flooring in my galley, yours looks much nicer.
I saw a synthetic floor on a C350some years ago and it seems like an excellent idea. I understand Catalina uses or used Lonseal. The teak plywood does some astonishing color changes over time. It sure does! Not a problem until you have to bleach & refinish an area. Then it's a real b*&^ch. Got tired of mine looking like a patchwork.

See my comments

 

[sailingseadragon]

Re: Some Comments re: Lonseal Install

Ted,

Below is a link to similar project completed on a P365 and information on price and availability of teak & holly plywood in San Diego.

http://www.pearson365.com/forum/index.php?topic=1166.0

Garner

 

[Calif. Ted]

Thanks Garner
The fact that the teak & holly is as light sensitive as photo paper adds a whole level of PITA to the project.

 

[Old Skool Neil]

Ted,

Strata Forest Products handles Teak and Holly, has for decades. They're located on Susan Street in Santa Ana.
http://www.strataforest.com/index.php?module=Pages&mode=plywoods

 

[stephen Penny]

I just learned today that Frost Hardwood on Mirimar Road in San Diego (858) 455-9060 sells 4’ x 8’ sheets of 1/32” (0.75 MM) teak and holly veneer on marine plywood. ¼” costs $248 and ½” costs $310 each. Contact jfrost@frosthardwood.com. The teak and holly veneer I recently purchased was from World Panel in Florida 561-840-0500 and is 2 mm veneer teak and holly in ¼”, 3/8” and ½” thickness 4’ x 10’.

 

[Ross]

Time for you to get into the wood working business and make flooring for boats. At prices in excess of 8 dollars per square foot there is a profit to be made.

 

[Calif. Ted]

Thanks Guys, I should have updated earlier but I've been unsure where I was going.
First, Finally got my teak & holly ply last week, Neil, I think it came from Santa Ana so Strata may have been the source in the end.
And I'm gonna look into what Frost has available also, Thanks Stephan.
So, Saturday morning after the previous discussion, I was touching up the oak flooring by my front door that I'd installed in 1995 and a light bulb went off.
First, I really envy the floors I've seen in the links you guys posted, some of them have straight edges and square corners ! Now, picture the salon on a Cat320, not a straight line visible and curves that would make a violin maker faint.
Saturday afternoon I'd duplicated the worst panel out of 3" pre-finished 3/8" engineered oak click/lock flooring. Looked pretty good, so I made up the second large panel. Took them to the boat, they actually fit ! So I made up the two smaller panels.
I thought I'd install my "Temporary" boards while using the old for patterns, but they really do look good and we're going to try them for a while.
The teak and holly ply is in the basement along with the old boards.
The Admiral thought they looked so good she suggested I could go back to work making them professionally, great minds think alike don't they Ross.
I didn't take pictures but I will next weekend when we get back to the boat.
Belt sander sure got a workout, god bless the man that invented it.
BTW, about $2.50 a sq/ft for materials, the flooring was on sale.

 

[Ross]

I made my cabin sole from 3/4 inch thick black walnut. After 13 years it looks just the same as when we launched the boat.

 

[jsnaulty]

I have replaced the cheesy 'teak and holly' floorboards in the past three boats (when it turned black wherever it was exposed to water (it's a boat, and I don't care how much epoxy you slather on the bottom, the sides remain porous and exposed to absorption, rot, black....)). this time, I bit the bullet and used genuine wood, like floorBOARDS used to be made of.( I'm so old, I remember when entire boats were made of the stuff). I think the results speak for themselves......