Securing Floorboards

[bobupanddown]

On a similar topic to the Sprayhood question. I am thinking of screwing down the floorboards on my boat. GRP is not a very good anchor for screws as they tend to pull out especially after being put in and out a few times. Does anyone know of a suitable fixing for doing this (possibly quick release?

 

[damo]

Re: Securing Floorboards

IIRC there are very shallow bilges under your floorboards so the only thing the hatches have to contain are themselves. Could you use velcro - if it works then great, if it doesn't then it's easy to remove and try something else?

 

[scottie]

Re: Securing Floorboards

If you read left for dead you may decide that fastening is essential

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Re: Securing Floorboards

If rou can get to the underside of where you wish to put the screws why not glass a wooden block to the GRP to take the screw.

 

[jwilson]

I have been completely inverted in a 34 ft yacht, with floorboards (and batteries etc) properly fastened down. Even then a heavy toolbox went flying around.

I currently have a modern production yacht with standard loose floorboards, which I have no intention of fastening down, because in ordinary coastal cruisng I will not be going anywhere in conditions that will produce an inversion. If my present boat (35' modern French) did invert she might remain inverted for quite some time - probably 10-20 minutes, until enough water came into the hull to destabilise the inversion.

You have to assess priorities. Where are you going? In what weather? Is the risk of grounding or hitting something that punctures the hull (making quick access to bilges important) greater than getting 180'd. Also sealed-up bilges collect dust, food scraps etc that all end up smaelely, possibly clogging bilge pumps, etc.

If you do screw down floorboards do it properly, with thought given to quick release. Velcro probably won't work.

 

[narooma]

There is a two part product used to stick timber to fibreglass hulls. If you use this to stick battons to the hull you could screw the floorboards to them. I can't remember its name offhand but someone on here will know what it's called.