flooring replacement

[Rick]

I have a 1985 285 and Im thinking about replacing the cabin flooring. Now its 1/2 inch thick plywood. Should it be treated or just cdx grade? Or spend the money and use teak? Id like to hear your thoughts. I have gotten alot of good help here, and I appreciate the info.Thanks Rick

 

[Jeff D]

How pretty do you want it?

It really is a matter of preference. Hunter will sell you a precut teak and holly floor. You can also use marine plywood. I would certainly coat the bottom with an epoxy such as West System. You could cover this with a teak parquet floor (not Pergo).

 

[Debra B]

marine grade

I would use marine grade, even if you don't go with teak and holly.Do you need to replace? My 79 needs refinishing, and I replaced one of the bilge access panels - a hatch leak destroyed even the marine grade. (Matching the pattern was not hard.) Teak & holly ply is expensive, but it looks great!

 

[Tim Welsh]

solid teak

I'm using solid teak in my floor. I hope I won't have to do it again, how big is the section you are replacing?

 

[Marc Honey]

"Sail" magazine

February issue of Sail just arrived yesterday and there is a pretty extensive article in it about replacing your cabin sole. Where do you keep your 28.5?

 

[Stu Sauer]

Teak and Holly Plywood

I have had two problems with the teak and holly plywood cabin sole in my 1986 28.5. first I had to clean and sand it in order to refinish it with polyurethane varnish several years ago and found out just how thin the veneer is. You can easily sand through it. Secondly, you do need to seal the underside of the plywood as well, or it may absorb errant bilge water when you're heeled over. Still, if you want to retain the value of the boat, I'd think you want the teak and holly immage, whether it's plywood or solid wood in strips.Has anyone replaced the plywood with actual plank flooring, and how much under floor framework needed to be added to build the new cabin sole? We have been using a 24" wide inexpensive Oriental rug 'runner' from the base of the companionway steps to just under the main salon table to protect the varnished teak and holly plywood.