My 1984 Hunter 34 is in need of a new cabin sole. I dread the job and can only think that the way to attack it is to remove all cabinets and settees. Remove what is htere and try to duplicate it. Any experience out there? It would be easy to write a check but I think it is just labor that a semihandy individual could handle with a little help from some friends.
Cabin Sole Replacement
- Thread starter Always FOR SAIL
- Start date
- Status
Winter Project
Hey if you will look in the archives I have posted some pictures of my new sole. It is definatley a wintertime project. I do have the pattern you need so it would speed it up. What I have done though instead of using the teak and holly that is laminated on plywood, I used solid teak and joined 10 1/2 wide pieces together and inlayed the holly 1/4 inch deep, that is the last floor my boat will ever have. I am fixing to build soles for two more boats this winter that's like mine. Anyhow be prepared to take the whole boat apart inside. And that is a good time to clean the bilge and add more drains in the bilge in differen't areas. You will see what I mean when you pull your old floor out. Tim Welsh H34 AKA Cabo Wabo
Hey if you will look in the archives I have posted some pictures of my new sole. It is definatley a wintertime project. I do have the pattern you need so it would speed it up. What I have done though instead of using the teak and holly that is laminated on plywood, I used solid teak and joined 10 1/2 wide pieces together and inlayed the holly 1/4 inch deep, that is the last floor my boat will ever have. I am fixing to build soles for two more boats this winter that's like mine. Anyhow be prepared to take the whole boat apart inside. And that is a good time to clean the bilge and add more drains in the bilge in differen't areas. You will see what I mean when you pull your old floor out. Tim Welsh H34 AKA Cabo Wabo
Tim is right
about it being a winter project. If you use the plywood, and you do it in cooler temps (I don't know your area from season to season) remember it will swell a bit in the humidity. You want to be able to get at your bilge without a crowbar. It's not really too hard if you're handy. I did it over four weeks of the long N.E. winter, and updated wiring etc while I was at it. I Used plywood. you can get the pattern (ask Tim or Hunter), or like I did, just take the whole schmere inside & start cutting. I used sanding sealer & 7 coats of Ultimate Sole. Looks great.
about it being a winter project. If you use the plywood, and you do it in cooler temps (I don't know your area from season to season) remember it will swell a bit in the humidity. You want to be able to get at your bilge without a crowbar. It's not really too hard if you're handy. I did it over four weeks of the long N.E. winter, and updated wiring etc while I was at it. I Used plywood. you can get the pattern (ask Tim or Hunter), or like I did, just take the whole schmere inside & start cutting. I used sanding sealer & 7 coats of Ultimate Sole. Looks great.
Tim is the 'man' on this job!
I did it too, but used plywood like the factory did. One note; the factory plywood on my '86 wouldn't come out of the companion way because it was installed before the deck was added to the boat. You'll see it. It's the one under the dinning table. There are some pictures on my web site. Not too much on the floor work except for the bow. That was a whole different method. Good luck. And Tim, we are not worthy,,,,
I did it too, but used plywood like the factory did. One note; the factory plywood on my '86 wouldn't come out of the companion way because it was installed before the deck was added to the boat. You'll see it. It's the one under the dinning table. There are some pictures on my web site. Not too much on the floor work except for the bow. That was a whole different method. Good luck. And Tim, we are not worthy,,,,
Just replaced sole in hunter 25.5
I just finished installing a new cabin sole. But, I used composite lumber. It was the right thickness, the pieces were 9 1/4" wide by 10' long. I needed 4 pieces @ $25 eac to do my hunter 25.5. The composite is extremely easy to work with, perfectly square and won't warp, swell, shrink or rot. It stained and varnished up very nice and looks great!
I just finished installing a new cabin sole. But, I used composite lumber. It was the right thickness, the pieces were 9 1/4" wide by 10' long. I needed 4 pieces @ $25 eac to do my hunter 25.5. The composite is extremely easy to work with, perfectly square and won't warp, swell, shrink or rot. It stained and varnished up very nice and looks great!
- Status