Plastic floorboards for inflatable.

[thinwater]

If plastic is anything like here - it would need something like rubber placed on ends to avoid it cutting the tube / fabric floor.

Personally - I'd go for new Plywood slats ...... or as some do - Ikea bed slats.

^^ Good point. Sand them completely round and then glue something over the ends.

 

[Sandy]

PVC inflatable?

Make from plywood; they will last as long as the dinghy and have better strength/weight ratio than any of the suggestions. If sealed properly they should last longer than the first set. Keep the dinghy out of the water and leave the drain open. Keep it tilted.

Things are made to a cost...

I kept my old dinghy, kept upside down in a dinghy shed, after five years had a 115 kg (18 stone in old money) crew member stand on a plywood floor board and there was a loud cracking sound.

 

[Neeves]

Some Ikea bed slats used to be sold with a rubber tape with short sleeves into which the bed slats fitted. But if you want to floor the complete dinghy you might need a lot of slats.

Plastic floor boards, commonly used for exterior decks (for houses) are made from recycled plastic. Public park benches use similar planking. They are completely weatherproof and (obviously) apparently environmentally friendly. They might be too heavy (if you can find them).

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

Things are made to a cost...

I kept my old dinghy, kept upside down in a dinghy shed, after five years had a 115 kg (18 stone in old money) crew member stand on a plywood floor board and there was a loud cracking sound.

The original slats for Avons etc - were never designed to carry a persons weight OUT of the water. They are designed to work with the fabric floor with water supporting the whole.
The slats stabilise the floor to avoid that 'bouncy castle' motion of a non slat floor.

My original Avon slats cracked - but they must have been over 20yrs old ... I still have one undamaged and that can provide template for replacements.

Previous owner created a full floor in two sections - using serious plywood ... makes floor brilliant - BUT its so heavy !!

Good slat on top ...

 

[James_Calvert]

I remade some slats with some facing ply from B and Q (or maybe another outlet). It was the same thickness as the original. Broke in first use. Should have realised it was rubbish, it did warn not to be used for structural purposes...

Proper marine ply would have been rather expensive.

Best results have been re-using some futon base slats. Cheap too, had been keeping the wood after throwing out the futon (which had been a dreadful idea!).

 

[Refueler]

Cheap ply often has bits and pieces making up the inner layers .. sometimes using any scrap they can find incl cork. Once the outer skins bonded on - you have to look very close at the ends and edges.

Even cheaper WBP can have same inner ...

BUT WBP can be had in superior quality ... and with increased number of layers - giving it better strength.