Cabin sole replacement

[Jon Bastien]

Hi, everyone! Has anyone considered replacing the boards that make up the cabin sole on their H23 with Lexan or Plexiglas panels? I'm considering doing this, as the boards I currently have are rotten. I figure that the Lexan or Plexi will be cheaper, last longer, easier to clean / care for, and just as strong as the wood. If I order them smoked, I don't have to look at the keel bolts. Comments? Suggestions?--Jon Bastien'2 Sheets to the Wind'Key West, FL

 

[Dave Condon]

Lexan

You will see "NO STEP" on the lexan slider hatches on top of the 23.5, 240. 26 and 260. Lexan is great for a window but not as structurally strong as wood if you get a marginal thickness. Consider wood, starboard,etc for safety reasons as lexan is not as strucxturally strong.

 

[Steve trost]

Form before function

Jon, I would think that most times you would put function before form. In this case however, I think replacing with wood will function better and look alot nicer!!

 

[Stephen Ostrander]

MDO

If you really want to do this on the cheap, use MDO board. MDO is an exterior grade plywood used by sign painters. You could paint the surface any color you wanted. I'd still go for the teak and holly myself, but its your boat.

 

[Jon Bastien]

Thanks guys!

Hi again, Thanks for your responses. I'm thinking about ordering one piece to test it out, and basing my decision on the results...  The way I figure it, the plastic should be strong enough as it will be suported on all 4 sides (unlike the sliding hatch, which is supported only on port and starboard). Also, these pieces will not be as wide or as long as the hatch. The hatch on my 23 has had to take body weight once or twice (*CRINGE*), but it didn't collapse... I'm considering using the same thickness of plastic on the sole as is used on the hatch.I'll let you know how this experiment turns out...--Jon Bastien