Hey guys, I have an 83 avon redcrest that I'd like to add a wooden floor to. Anybody got an ideas on design since I don't want the plywood to rip through the hypalon floor? -Matt
adding a floor to an inflatable
- Thread starter matthewgvt
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Keep it simple
You might find an older raft with a removable floor. I see them around for $100 or less. These have aluminum "keepers" on the sides, and in the floor joints.I see these rafts all the time for $100 or less.The aluminum could be cut to fit your raft. The edges are rounded to reduce chafe. You could also glue an additional layer of something, maybe truck innner tube,cut to size, to the floor.I replaced the floor in an older Dynous, and used a material similar to Starboard.It is actually used commercial butcher shop cutting board.I sanded the surface smooth, and milled the edges to fit the aluminum keepers.Link below for photos.
You might find an older raft with a removable floor. I see them around for $100 or less. These have aluminum "keepers" on the sides, and in the floor joints.I see these rafts all the time for $100 or less.The aluminum could be cut to fit your raft. The edges are rounded to reduce chafe. You could also glue an additional layer of something, maybe truck innner tube,cut to size, to the floor.I replaced the floor in an older Dynous, and used a material similar to Starboard.It is actually used commercial butcher shop cutting board.I sanded the surface smooth, and milled the edges to fit the aluminum keepers.Link below for photos.
Avon
My 83 Avon redcrest that I bought 5 years ago came with a three piece wood floor so I assume that's the way they came. I would run an ad in this site's gear wanted section.
My 83 Avon redcrest that I bought 5 years ago came with a three piece wood floor so I assume that's the way they came. I would run an ad in this site's gear wanted section.
build it
A number of years ago I had a Sevylor dingy. One of those yellow PVC inflatables. It had a bracket for a small outboard and worked pretty well for my purposes at that time. However it had an inflated tube floor and when it was stepped into my feet would sink into the tubes and it would be mighty slippery underfoot. I built a wood floor out of three sections. I modeled the side rail stiffeners from a full size dingy out of white oak to join the sections. The bow section which I wanted to be free floating for movement under way I hinged to the section behind it. The floor itself was made from quarter inch marine grade plywood.I put many, many coats of sikens cetol to protect the wood from water damage. If I had it to do over I'd use a WesSystems product to seal the wood completely. Find a dingy with a floor and copy the side rail design for fore and aft support. As I said I used white oak for the rails. It's just as strong as teak, it's as dense and it costs a whole bunch less. A good lumber yard will even mill it to the shape you want for a small fee. It was a fun project, it looked great and the boat was much more stable when I stepped in it. Have fun. Mike
A number of years ago I had a Sevylor dingy. One of those yellow PVC inflatables. It had a bracket for a small outboard and worked pretty well for my purposes at that time. However it had an inflated tube floor and when it was stepped into my feet would sink into the tubes and it would be mighty slippery underfoot. I built a wood floor out of three sections. I modeled the side rail stiffeners from a full size dingy out of white oak to join the sections. The bow section which I wanted to be free floating for movement under way I hinged to the section behind it. The floor itself was made from quarter inch marine grade plywood.I put many, many coats of sikens cetol to protect the wood from water damage. If I had it to do over I'd use a WesSystems product to seal the wood completely. Find a dingy with a floor and copy the side rail design for fore and aft support. As I said I used white oak for the rails. It's just as strong as teak, it's as dense and it costs a whole bunch less. A good lumber yard will even mill it to the shape you want for a small fee. It was a fun project, it looked great and the boat was much more stable when I stepped in it. Have fun. Mike
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