New Flooring in runab

[mwillsey77]

I recently purchased a 1971 Runabout. I baught it dirt cheap and the motor runs fine. The problem is the floor has a number of soft spots. I am trying to find an fairly inexpensive material to replace it with. Preasure treated lumber will not work because the copper in it will destroy the hull.

 

[stmbtwle]

"the copper in it will destroy the hull" I never heard of that but if you feel that's the case just use ordinary plywood, and seal it well. Otherwise it WILL rot.

 

[mwillsey77]

Back in the 90's pressure-treated wood was treated with arsenic. Do to the polution this was causing the government forced them to eliminate the arsenic. They replaced this with Copper. Copper corrodes aluminum. If you have an aluminum boat please do not use new pressure-treated wood on it.

 

[stmbtwle]

That makes sense though I'd question whether there is enough copper in PT to cause a problem; especially after the plywood has been painted, etc. BUT it's better to be safe than sorry.

There are a lot of aftermarket waterproofing compounds for wood; I'm sure some of them would work, depending on your construction methods and what you plan to finish the wood with. Just check the home stores and read the labels. Some are compatible with paint and some are not.

 

[David M]

Regular plywood with several coats of paint will do well for a bunch of years. After that bunch of years, rip it out and do it again. IMHO glassing is not necessary. Glass adds weight. Weight requires energy to move. Energy creation requires fuel. Threfore, glass requires fuel.