hardwood flooring

[GrahamIreland]

Hello all, I recently bought a 'project', a narrow boat.

Ill be laying flooring in it and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this. technique wise.

I think a nice wooden floor would make the world of difference so thought id invest in solid wood.

Or would a pine board stand up to this.

It would be laid over chipboard I think, not sure if tongue and groove is an option, I may have a router fitting I could use.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rorschach]

Whatever you fit, make sure you can (fairly) easily remove it, partly so you can sort out any leaks but partly so you can access the ballast, if you move significant weight around the boat you may need to add/remove/shift ballast.

 

[MusicMan]

Perhaps lay it over OSB in case of water leaks/pools? Chipboard is pretty much ruined by moisture.

Recycled floorboards could be an elegant option and are abut the same cost as new ones. LASSCO or the equivalent architectural salvage. I got a lot of teak flooring from them once.

 

[GrahamIreland]

thanks guys, you raise some excellent points there.

The guy Im buying from, is a boat restorer, and I believe he will lay sheets over the joists.
So will check with him regards osb boards.

Yes Lassco could be a good shout, but I was half thinking to put my money into this floor as it would be a strong feature throughout. So thought maybe a nice new board like ash or southern yellow pine would be nice. I guess it would probably cost a fortune, would pine stand up to wear and tear?

And how best to secure to boards?

 

[MusicMan]

I personally don't think you can beat recycled hardwood, seasoned for 100 years or so! My teak floors are 15 years old and still look perfect.

 

[GrahamIreland]

Could be very nice alright, but the colouring in basic pine might be plain and simple too. I wonder if it would stand up to job.

Are they generally tongue n groove nailed in with a gun?

Or can I get away with simply laying them tight together, toe nail in.

 

[Beau]

If you like the look of pine but want some extra durability Siberian larch is pretty tough stuff

 

[will1983]

Douglas Fir? It's a pretty common material in wooden boat building.

I would leave expansion gaps in between each board or lay it as a floating floor with a gap all round due to the obvious humidity from being on the water.

 

[GrahamIreland]

Cheers Will,

would you connect the boards to each other some how?

Or just lay the whole thing down on the boards snug..

 

[MusicMan]

I would use T&G and nail diagonally through the tongues to the substrate. Leave it floating as Will suggests, then leave a gap around the long-grain edges (which can be covered by skirting quarter-rounds).

 

[LancsRick]

Pretty sure floating floor is a given isn't it, he'll be really upset if it sinks....




I'll get my coat...

 

[GrahamIreland]

ha, ha, dangerously funny!

 

[GrahamIreland]

IN actuality I have a whole narrow boat fit out to do.

A little bit daunting, but when you see some of the rubbish out there, I feel like I could do a decent job of it.
I'll be installing a table saw to help on board.

But if anyone has basic tips and tricks along the way, it would help. such as material thickness or suggestions..

Im going with basic pine I'm afraid, but doesn't mean it can't be nice.

Prob should have labeled this thread a bit better, but you live and learn!

1. So first will be battoning, to steel frame - this will be done.

2. Then a spray foam insulation, across roof and gun whales(new word for me)

3. insulation down sides and floor, partitioned off, then I need to dress.

4. There is a marine ply layer for floor, then I put floor boards across. I may need to make in blocks so as to leave access to bilges underneath.

5. Ceiling I think is sealed off with a light plywood then I guess run panelling tongue n groove length ways, unless across is an option...

6. All holes need to be cut for electrics as I go, or I could drill hole first for wiring then cut with hole cutter later.

7. Partitioning of layout, I'll need to frame (bulkheads) I think they call it.

8. Water pipes gas pipes, air heating ducting needs to be run, along a channel.



ya plenty to do.

 

[GrahamIreland]

Anyone ver made a porthole?

 

[AndyT]

Assuming you mean the wooden trim, and that you only want one or two, I think you would be better off buying them from in a specialist. They will have already sourced the suitable chunky timber, bought appropriate machinery and solved all the other problems.

https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/stor ... ry/midland chandlers/cabin and deck/deck hull fittings/portholes.aspx

 

[GrahamIreland]

Yes your prob right, there is a guy on youtube doing a boat build and he made them from oak I just saw.

Just not sure how he did his initial joints,

they seem to be made in pieces, than routed out,