How to Attach a Floor to a Fiberglass Boat

A typical fiberglass boat has a wood floor secured over the substrate, which functions to secure components such as the seating, console and other objects. Over a long period, boating activities such as fishing, tubing or water skiing cause wet conditions, which eventually rots the floor and necessitates replacement. Often, the first indication of a rotted floor includes lose seating, spongy flooring or dark spots in the wood.

Things You'll Need

  • Utility knife
  • Circular saw
  • Marine Plywood
  • Wood stringers
  • Galvanized deck screws
  • Filler
  • Resin
  • Sealer
  • Brush
  • Carpet
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the screws securing the seats to the floor. Removal the seat pads if necessary to access the screws. Detach other components as required. Use a utility knife to cut the carpet along one of the edges. Exert some force to remove the carpet. Most carpeting adheres to the floor with marine adhesive, which may make it impossible to salvage the carpet for later use.

    • 2

      Remove the screws holding the floor in place. Depending on the placement of components, the deck may consist of multiple pieces. Use a circular saw to remove the flooring if removing the screws is not an option. Adjust the saw blade to the proper depth to for cutting the decking; a reciprocal saw blade should not exceed 5 inches. The longer blade could inadvertently poke holes in the hull or other area of the boat.

    • 3

      Inspect the stringers and the bulkheads to ensure these components are structurally sound. Repair and replace rotted components as necessary. Use wood epoxy filler to repair holes and light rot. Join new wood and old wood with resin. Apply sealer on all repairs and new wood.

    • 4

      Use the old wood panel as a template for cutting the new piece of wood flooring. Use 3/4-inch marine plywood for the replacement flooring material. Apply epoxy sealer to the new floor: three coats on the edges, two coats on the underside and on coat on the top. The sealer makes the wood resistant to fungus and bacteria. Treat the screws holes with epoxy too.

    • 5

      Pre-drill the fastener holes and treat with sealer. Secure the plywood to the boat stringers with deck screws. Install the new carpeting. Place the old flooring on top of the carpet and trace the outline. Add about two inches of carpeting to the borders. Use a trowel to spread marine cement over the surface of the new floor. Lay the carpet in place. Trim excess material with a utility knife. Re-install the seats and other components. Pre-drill the screw holes and apply sealer around the openings.