Any ideas for constructing a hard floor for an inflatable Achilles dingy? Price of manufactured one is $400, I'm told. Make it out of marine-grade plywood and epoxy it? Thickness: 3/4 inch? Make in one...or two pieces for easy insertion/removal?
Hard floor for inflatable Achilles dingy?
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I came across an ad yesterday where they
will make you an inflatable hard floor for $200. You send them the measurements and and they will make you one. I can remember where I saw it though. When I get home tonight I will look on my home computer and check my history. Frank PS: I have also considered making one out of styrofoam and glassing it. Easy to shape, waterproof and light.
will make you an inflatable hard floor for $200. You send them the measurements and and they will make you one. I can remember where I saw it though. When I get home tonight I will look on my home computer and check my history. Frank PS: I have also considered making one out of styrofoam and glassing it. Easy to shape, waterproof and light.
Use 1/2 plywood as once in the water it will
have all the support it needs. If you don't have a problem with storage just make two pieces. Varnish the boards. You will need to tie them together to prevent one from slipping under the other. Preferably locate an "H" hard plastic channel that could run 80% of the width of the boards and where the boards could be inserted with a tight fit. Remove any sharp edges. I have seen some use metal hinges but they allow a bit much vertical flex. Round off and smooth the edges of the boards and make them for a tight fit with the boat to prevent chaffing. The ideal would be to get the measurements of the factory boards for your boat size. You should be able to complete the project for about $50. Good luck.
have all the support it needs. If you don't have a problem with storage just make two pieces. Varnish the boards. You will need to tie them together to prevent one from slipping under the other. Preferably locate an "H" hard plastic channel that could run 80% of the width of the boards and where the boards could be inserted with a tight fit. Remove any sharp edges. I have seen some use metal hinges but they allow a bit much vertical flex. Round off and smooth the edges of the boards and make them for a tight fit with the boat to prevent chaffing. The ideal would be to get the measurements of the factory boards for your boat size. You should be able to complete the project for about $50. Good luck.
Hard floor
Why not make one out of starboard. Probably only a couple of sheets. Cut and sand or rout the edges. Wont rot or splinter and you could even attach some non skid to it. Just a thought. Half inch would probably do. Cheers
Why not make one out of starboard. Probably only a couple of sheets. Cut and sand or rout the edges. Wont rot or splinter and you could even attach some non skid to it. Just a thought. Half inch would probably do. Cheers
starboard not cheap
It's the white or other color board at WM. I think some form of plastic,marine plywood cheaper way to go just copy old flooring three or four sections. Nick
It's the white or other color board at WM. I think some form of plastic,marine plywood cheaper way to go just copy old flooring three or four sections. Nick
Whats starboard?
Tadd, starboard is the substitute for just about anything. Check the archives here on what people have made from starboard. DONT get it at WM. I see your in San Diego as am I. Go to the Yacht Doctor or Downwind Marine over on Shelter Island. You can do some comparison shoping. I have got more "free" starboard by just digging through the remnants at either place. But Downwind will probably be your best buy. Yes a bit more expensive, BUT its a one time good deal. Cheers
Tadd, starboard is the substitute for just about anything. Check the archives here on what people have made from starboard. DONT get it at WM. I see your in San Diego as am I. Go to the Yacht Doctor or Downwind Marine over on Shelter Island. You can do some comparison shoping. I have got more "free" starboard by just digging through the remnants at either place. But Downwind will probably be your best buy. Yes a bit more expensive, BUT its a one time good deal. Cheers
Downwind Starboard
Thanks for the suggestion about Downwind...their prices are the same as WM, but your your note let to look further and I found Regal Piedmont off Miramar Rd, and their price is half of Downwind/WM. Thank you.
Thanks for the suggestion about Downwind...their prices are the same as WM, but your your note let to look further and I found Regal Piedmont off Miramar Rd, and their price is half of Downwind/WM. Thank you.
I wonder if you'd find Starboard really slippery..
I made new floorboards for my small and ancient Achilles dinghy with 3/8 Okoume ply. Coated with epoxy, then painted with 2-part LPU. Used the old floorboards as patterns. 3 boards hinged with 2" webbing as the old ones had - 2 "hinges" per edge, each about 8" from the side. Webbing's attached to boards with alumium chicago bolts threaded through holes in the webbing that I sealed with a soldering iron. Drilled oversized holes in the floorboards, filled with epoxy, then redrilled so no raw wood exposed. The webbing is attached from the top of one board to the bottom of the next. I know the aluminum bolts will corrode, but they're cheap, and easy to replace.
I made new floorboards for my small and ancient Achilles dinghy with 3/8 Okoume ply. Coated with epoxy, then painted with 2-part LPU. Used the old floorboards as patterns. 3 boards hinged with 2" webbing as the old ones had - 2 "hinges" per edge, each about 8" from the side. Webbing's attached to boards with alumium chicago bolts threaded through holes in the webbing that I sealed with a soldering iron. Drilled oversized holes in the floorboards, filled with epoxy, then redrilled so no raw wood exposed. The webbing is attached from the top of one board to the bottom of the next. I know the aluminum bolts will corrode, but they're cheap, and easy to replace.
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