Another timber question ...

[Joker]

I have just bought a very old Trapper 500 and I am attempting to renovate it.

The cabin floor is severely distressed, and this is hidden by carpet at the moment. I am also slightly concerned because there seems to be a little too much 'give' in it as you walk on it.

My plan is to fix strips of wood [with sikaflex] along the floor. Teak is expensive! Any suggestions for an alternative wood? There is a firm called Bramtons near me in Southampton which seems to sell every concievable type of wood - the question is what type of wood is suitable.

Suggestions please ...

 

[TQA]

Every DIY shop under the sun seems to be selling stripwood for flooring, how about some of that.

It should do the trick and give you the chance to have something different on the cabin sole.

 

[Joker]

Hmm .. how waterproof would that be?

 

[Tranona]

I have just bought a very old Trapper 500 and I am attempting to renovate it.

The cabin floor is severely distressed, and this is hidden by carpet at the moment. I am also slightly concerned because there seems to be a little too much 'give' in it as you walk on it.

My plan is to fix strips of wood [with sikaflex] along the floor. Teak is expensive! Any suggestions for an alternative wood? There is a firm called Bramtons near me in Southampton which seems to sell every concievable type of wood - the question is what type of wood is suitable.

Suggestions please ...

General rule is hardwood below the waterline. so Mahogany, Teak, Iroko and so on. Good article in recent PBO on boatbuilding woods.

However, if a cabin floor is knackered it is worth considering replacing it with new ply - probably thicker such as 15mm. Or if it is just too thin and worn, laminating a new layer of say 6mm on top. That way it is possible to use teak and holly faced without it breaking the bank.

 

[Joker]

Can't replace as it's a moulding. Hence the idea of laying strips. To complicate matters, the floor is a very irregular shape.

Does ply come in strips - say 50mm wide?

And has anyone used these people - http://www.kayospruce.com/default.asp?

 

[Tranona]

Sorry, wasn't aware it was GRP. You can cut ply into strips, glue it down with Sikaflex and use the same to fill the seams in between. This would look very smart. Alternatively you can get machined solid teaK strips 6mm thick and up to 70mm wide which would also do the job. If you use Sikaflex, there would still be some "give" to deal with the unstable substrate. Teak available from Robbins Timber in Bristol or KJ Howells in Cobbs Quay, Poole.

 

[Joker]

Any wood other than teak? Teak is expensive!

 

[higler]

Any wood other than teak? Teak is expensive!

Try Iroko--Poor mans teak, you can buy it stripped down to whatever you want and its hard wearing. N

 

[mainmarine]

I used Maple strip for my cabin sole, it's been down about 3 years now, it is used for ballroom floors so quite hard wearing and pretty stable, for interior work, I coated it with non slip additive in satin varnish.

 

[Tranona]

Any wood other than teak? Teak is expensive!

For that application you could use just about any straight grained wood, or even plywood cut into strips. Depends on how important looks and durability are to you. Teak is the preferred choice because it looks good is very stable and lasts. That is why it is expensive. Iroko is probably the next best, but not always easy to get stable straight grain in sections suitable for this application.

If looks are not an issue and you just want to strengthen the panel, laminate extra GRP on top of what you already have.

 

[akslocombe]

iroko

Hi Guys, I have reclaimed Iroko planks (ex lab worktops) 20mm - 30mm thick for sale. can sand and cut to your requirements if needed.
Alex