Ripping up old floor

Canonshooternb · Jun 5, 2012

Do you have any pictures or more detail as to model and material ?

FastOlson · Jun 5, 2012

Floored by Sole? (put your soul into it...)

KimyKennedy said:
Ok....so. I'm ripping up the floor (a little at a time --- it's hard getting that stuff up!).
Any tips on taking up the floor other than just driving a screwdriver underneath and inching it up little by little?
It's a labor of pure love.......

"Ripping"? Ouch. Love Hurts. Did the factory glue the original sole pieces down? (Note that on a boat, that's the cabin sole, and not a "floor" like it's called in our homes on land.

Are there plugs over the screws that are holding it? Or, was it all done with adhesive?

I ask because I removed the original sole pieces on our boat for refinishing -- had to remove an oodle of plugs and then all the screws. (It was spendy 1/2" teak n holly plywood, and we had no budget for a full replacement.)

We were able to save the scratched up teak and holly surface, with some small patches here n there. Then we layed on many coats of varnish. Still looks purdy good many years later, if I do say so.

LB

FastOlson · Jun 5, 2012

Here's some Sole, Sister.

KimyKennedy said:
I'll be up this weekend..... to work on this project...
She's a 1980 Hunter 30

Kimy, You might want to sit down with a cup of coffee and read thru this thread and check out the pictures.
Different make of boat, but often times the problems we all tackle are pretty much the same... !

http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoex...emoval-of-glued-down-cabin-sole&referrerid=28

If you cannot save the present sole, well, it is what it is.
Just think of all the new skills you will gain when you get done, too.

Anyhow, good luck.
L

Zeke Zambella · Jun 8, 2012

I am looking at the same job (probably over the lay-up season though). Just tossing a rug down for 2012 season....

Looks like a lot of fun.....NOT. Let us know what you find. I was under the impression that it was screwed down in a million places....

onecoolair · Jul 9, 2012

Kimy...I feel your pain. I am in the middle of redoing the plywood sub-floor laminate under the teak and holly cabin sole at the base of my companionway steps. On my 10 year old H356 ...The damage is from port to starboard. I was going to cut it out this weekend and use 1/2" king starboard as a replacement. But after pulling up the teak and holly sole in that area decided to go with the west system slow cure penetrating epoxy method. Then I may top it off with a few structural stiffener under the sub-floor. Luckily the teak and holly plywood sole was not damaged and is easily removed. Just counter sunk Philips s.s. wood screws holding it in place.

:dance:Here is an Idea ...I once had a M26 it came with carpet over the fiber glass sole. That got pretty smelly after a while. I found an ordered a 4x8 sheet of 1/8" Teak and Holly. Used some cardboard to make a template. Coated the bottom of plywood with Thompson's water sealer. Then used clear min-wax plastic coat. Light sanding between each coat. I end up with about 20 coats. Yes I know, But this new floor survived the fire the boat went through 2 years later.

So are you still with me.....
Now cut out the damaged area and replace with a new piece of marine grade plywood or Swiss cheese it and fill it with a penetrating epoxy. Then make a template of your cabin sole. Develop a nice layout panel plan for your new teak & holly cabin sole. I would go with at least 1/2" for your boat and situation. Counter sink properly placed Phillips head fasteners screws. Don't go over board on the screws go for looks. Does not take that much to hold these fixed boards in place. Keep in mind bilge access etc. At all the normal access areas were you will have router-ed in finger holes to lift bilge boards. Plan on trimming off bilge boards and any quick access openings with thin strips of teak fastened with glue and very small brass counter sunk screws . Now once all that as been done go back and think. Now what are some of the areas under my current cabin sole where I could use better access. These areas do not need quick access so can be under the fixed panel areas. Do not drill any holes in hull and do anything to comprimise structure. Now you can sand and apply a clear plastic coat finish to your hearts desire. And don't ever I mean ever let your brother or any one else below with one of those dammed !$^%&^*&)_=+playmate ice chest. Its the law no ice chest below and no shoes with small pieces of gravel and grit in the bottom of their shoes. Not to mention all that potty stuff from the marina restrooms.

Get some bucks back...Clean and sand any left over extra old teak and holly panel pieces that show no sign of mold on holly strips. And list on ebay.