A cheap cockpit floor

mikeywil said:
I'm thinking of repurposing one of these from Ikea for a ckcpit floor.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/tables/coffee-side-tables/hol-side-table-acacia-art-70161320/
Any views?
Click to expand...
If I understand the advert then it's made of Acacia timber which is said to be quite durable for outside use but really needs treatment with a sealer or oil to prevent staining and decay. Interesting thought to dismantle and use as a cockpit floor but you might need to add some pads underneath to permit flow of water to the drains. I have two teak gratings with one of them having two rubber doorstops on its aft edge to provide a bit of padding and clearance.
 
The same thought had occurred to me when looking at the picture online, but if you get your hands on the real thing (after suffering the living hell of the Ikea shop) you'll see that the slats are too thin and flimsy to be useful.
 
Cheap means cheap. Don't waste any money and effort trying to use it. Will fall apart very quickly if you leave it exposed. If you want a proper teak grid either buy a kit, or if that will not fit have one made. www.kjhowells.com If you cant afford the proper stuff then use a different type of floor. Simple teak slats on bearers is not too expensive.
 
I have one of these at home in used as a dirty laundry basket.
It's quite good for that, but can't see it lasting more than a season in my cockpit. As others have said the drainage is one problem, so some significant mods for that. The other is preservation.
My teak cockpit floor grating (actually long slats) is now 40 years old, and has had new screws once, and pressure washed a few times, and still goes OK.
 
I had a sailing trip with a new crew of some very heavy lads! My cockpit floor which I considered to be good was a bit worse for wear afterwards.

Even if nicely supported that doesn't look like it would stand up to much!

But if you go for it, would love to see some pics and a report after a year.
 
mikeywil said:
I'm thinking of repurposing one of these from Ikea for a ckcpit floor.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/tables/coffee-side-tables/hol-side-table-acacia-art-70161320/
Any views?
Click to expand...

We looked at this and the prospect of taking on IKEA put me off.

Then we found something like this in a Belgian DIY chain. That was 10 years ago - they are warm to stand on, sound deadening and water drains straight through them. Just have to cut and fit - beats the c$ap out of any wood that I can afford.

https://www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk...x-500mm-x-30mm-thick-grey.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiA

These look even better!

https://rubberstock.com/patio-tile-red-40x40-cm.html
 
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